The World Anti-Doping Agency has requested the appeal against the Essendon players be held in Switzerland.

It is understood WADA has requested the case be held outside Australia in part because some of the panel hearing the case will be international arbitrators. It has also been interpreted as a provocative move by WADA to seek to move the matters as far as possible from the AFL environment.

Some of the 'Essendon 34.' Credit:Getty Images

A decision on where the Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing will sit will only be made once a panel has been appointed by CAS and all interested parties have made submissions – most likely written submissions. Lawyers for the 34 current and former Essendon players will strongly object to the request.