The AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal has found all 34 current and former Essendon players not guilty of taking a banned substance.

The AFL's anti-doping tribunal case involving Essendon, the AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority began in December last year and concluded on February 17.

4:25pm: Essendon CEO Paul Little and coach James Hird will speak at Tullamarine at 5:30pm.

4:06pm: The Western Bulldogs have rekeased a statement following the verdict:

"The Western Bulldogs welcome the verdict handed by the AFL anti-doping tribunal today." 

"The Club is proud of how the Club and its affected staff have worked together to achieve a just outcome for them."

3.55pm: Full statement from Paul Marsh

"The AFL Players' Association welcomes today's tribunal decision, in which all 34 current and former Essendon players have been cleared of an anti-doping rule violation.

We have always been of the view that these players have done nothing wrong and this has been confirmed by the Tribunal today.

This decision does not absolve the Essendon Football Club of blame. Players were placed in an unacceptable position that put their health and careers at risk.

For over two years these players' lives have been hijacked by this issue through no fault of their own, and today's decision brings a sense of overwhelming relief and vindication of the players' consistent position of innocence throughout this saga 

The players have withstood enormous uncertainty, public scrutiny and speculation over their health, their careers, and their reputations. This decision finally brings that uncertainty and speculation to an end.

I would like to commend the players for the way in which they have conducted themselves over the past two years. Players have honestly, candidly and transparently cooperated with the process and can hold their heads high that this decision has cleared them of any wrong doing.

We are relieved this matter is now closed and we, as an industry, can get on with the footy. We believe this matter provides an opportunity for genuine industry reflection to ensure this type of situation never happens again.

The PA will continue to work with the AFL and Clubs to do everything we can to make sure no player's health is ever put at risk again in the pursuit of on-field success."

3.40pm: Essendon coach James Hird arrived at the club's Tullamarine headquarters on Tuesday afternoon shortly after the AFL's anti-doping tribunal cleared their players of taking banned substances. 

A stone-faced Hird gave no comment to waiting media who, along with the general public, have been denied access to the True Value Solar Centre, for the timebeing at least.

A few loyal fans and a sizeable media throng are camped outside the complex.

Soon after the tribunal delivered its verdict, CEO Xavier Campbell exited Essendon's training base but declined to comment. Mark Neeld and Mark Harvey also left the club without speaking to the media.

3:36pm: James Hird has arrived at Essendon HQ

3.15pm: The AFL will hold a press conference at 4:45pm.

3:12pm: The AFLPA will conduct a press confence at 3:30pm.

Jobe Watson and Paul Little will be holding a press conference at some stage this afternoon.

2.59pm: Former ASADA CEO Richard Ings:

"From day one I've said that this is a very difficult case for asada to prove...to win all 34 cases would be a big ask"

"ASADA has had a fair day in court...the tribunal has issued an "emphatic decision" clearing the players."

Ings said ASADA must be in "crisis" this afternoon

He added that any appeal going forward "doesn't change the fact that the high burden that ASADA had and failed to deliver on in this hearing will still apply.

"I'm sure that ASADA will be in lockdown this afternoon."

"You've got to imagine that they're more likely to appeal than not to appeal."

2.43pm: ASADA boss Ben McDevitt: "What happened at Essendon in 2012 was, in my opinion, absolutely and utterly disgraceful. It was not a supplements program but an injection regime and the players and the fans were so poorly let down by the club."

2:38pm: The World Anti-Doping Agency has 21 days to appeal.

"The World Anti-Doping Agency's director-general says he will review the "entire" Essendon drugs investigation and has also declared his plans to discuss "all elements" of the affair directly with the Australian government, and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority."

2:32pm: ASADA will conduct a press conference on Wednesday at 11am in Canberra.

2.29pm: From the Bombers' chief executive:

2.20pm: The decision was revealed in-camera at AFL House this afternoon but the verdict was leaked out within minutes.

Players across the AFL have already taken to social media to express their happiness.

2:13pm: Expect a massive betting plunge on the Bombers this week now with their stars free to play.

2.07pm: The AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal has found all 34 current and former Essendon players not guilty of taking a banned substance.

No decsision yet on Stephen Dank.

2:01pm: Fair to say the football world is holding its collective breath at the moment.

1:52pm: So many parties with so much at stake today:

Have we missed anyone?

1:41pm: James Hird remains, quite literally, the last man standing from the so-called coaching 'dream team' that came together during the latter stages of 2010. This occurred after an inner-sanctum of Bombers inspired by Mark Thompson and encouraged by Tim Watson began plotting the rebuilding of the Essendon Football Club.

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