Banned Essendon players set to appeal

The Australian has reported that past and present Essenodn players found guilty of doping by the Court of Arbitration for sport will appeal to a Swiss court.

Essendon have also reportedly committed to funding the players' appeal, which is expected to play out in a Swiss court later this year.

Chip Le Grand from The Australian has reported that at least 20 of the past and present players found guilty will join the appeal.

"It won't really have any impact on this AFL season," Le Grand told 3AW radio on Friday afternoon.

"I'd expect there will be more than 20 players that will be involved in this.

"Obviously the others, who aren't involved, will still benefit, of course, if the decision is overturned."

Le Grand also said that the entire case will be heard in French and should begin in four to six months, with players resigned to the fact that they will not play this season.

The players will travel to Switzerland in the hope of essentially clearing their names.

Earlier, player manager Peter Jess confirmed that his client and ex-Bomber Nathan Lovett-Murray plans to appeal his doping ban.