ASADA seeks to force witnesses to testify at Essendon hearing
Players from the Essendon Football Club. (Getty)
ASADA is going to the Supreme Court in a bid to force key witnesses to testify at the Essendon AFL anti-doping hearing.
The anti-doping body is seeking subpoenas to compel witnesses Shane Charter and Nima Alavi to give evidence when hearings begin.
ASADA reportedly conceded at Monday's directions hearing that Charter and Alavi are reluctant to appear before the AFL anti-doping tribunal.
Their absence would leave a crucial hole in ASADA's case.
The AFL anti-doping tribunal is scheduled to start hearing the charges against 34 current and past Essendon players on December 15.
If found guilty, the players face suspensions of up to two years.
Charter is due to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court at the same time, charged trafficking and possessing steroids as well as several counts of possessing a schedule four poison.
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