David Evans ... has fronted a media conference to reveal the report findings. Source: Andrew Tauber / News Limited
An internal review into irregular practices at Essendon has not recommended the sacking of any key officials at the AFL club.
The report, chaired by former Telstra chief executive Ziggy Switkowski, centred on governance issues at Essendon relating to last year's controversial supplements program.
Switkowski recommended that any pioneering work with supplements and exotic treatments should be left to the Australian Sports Commission.
"At a club level, this is not an area for risk management but for zero tolerance," said the report.
"A club's pharmacology skills should not normally be independently and secretly developed as a source of competitive advantage.
"And an arms race for the most sophisticated molecules must be prohibited."
The report also found that Essendon's club doctor should be the signing authority for all medicines, supplements, diagnostic tests and therapeutic treatments.
Essendon chairman David Evans did not release the full version of the Switkowski report on Monday, although it will be made available to the AFL, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the Essendon board.
A parallel review, led by ASADA and the AFL into the nature of supplements administered by Essendon and their level of compliance with anti-doping codes, is ongoing.
"This was a no-go area for this report," read the Switkowski report.
"Questions about the pharmacology of certain supplements, their possible performance-affecting properties, compliance or otherwise with anti-doping codes etc are issues for the AFL and ASADA investigations, which still have some way to go.
"This review and report needed to be conducted in a manner careful not to inadvertently compromise their work."
Essendon players are set to be interviewed by ASADA this week.
The release of the report was delayed for a week because of a legal problem with suspended club fitness boss Dean Robinson which has since been resolved.
Essendon CEO Ian Robson and general manager of football operations Danny Corcoran have both been criticised in the wake of the supplements scandal but the report made no recommendations that any staff members be sacked.
The Switkowski report noted that the CEO "must be accountable for everything that happens within his organisation".
"Coaches cannot bypass him, and boards must work through him," the report said.
"If commercial priorities consume his time and attention, steps must be taken to ensure proper oversight of football operations."
It described the football operations role as a particularly difficult one.
"But this is a critical appointment requiring a strong capable individual who has the respect of the football staff and the support of the CEO," said the report.
Evans said he would stay on as Essendon chairman but had brought forward board elections to later this year.
The Bombers take on Geelong in a clash between the AFL's only two undefeated clubs on Friday night at Etihad Stadium
