Essendon appeal fail "not a real surprise" to winner, CAS
![CAS secretary-general Matthieu Reeb: "They are considered as guilty of an anti-doping rule violation".](/web/20161012185211im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/b/8/b/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs0uzl.png/1476258208617.jpg)
The clear appeal loss that stamps 34 Essendon footballers with doping offences for life has been termed "not a real surprise" to the sports arbiter the AFL players challenged in a faraway court. In light of the finding, secretary general of the international Court of Arbitration for Sport, Matthieu Reeb, has told Fairfax Media the Bomber players' challenge appeared doomed from the outset.