ESSENDON has launched legal action against Carlton CEO Greg Swann after he labelled the Bombers "cheats" in a radio interview this week.





In a defamation action, Essendon solicitors have demanded an apology from Swann.

It is believed Carlton has not responded to the demand, which was lodged Tuesday, a day after Swann made his comment about Essendon.

When contacted about the matter by Channel Nine's Footy Show, Swann offered no comment.

Other Carlton officials are aware of Essendon's legal action, and are bemused by the threat.

Carlton was the major recipient of the AFL's decision to ban Essendon from this year's finals, as part of a heavy sanction arising from the drawn-out probe into substances taken by Bombers players in 2012.

The Blues were elevated from ninth on the ladder to eighth position, and last week defeated fifth-placed Richmond in an elimination final.

Swann was asked on Kevin Bartlett's SEN program if the Blues deserved to be in the finals.

"Oh look we've been asked that a lot, we felt we deserved it. Because I was asked that yesterday and I mean, Essendon cheated, simple as that," Swann said.

"So they lost their points and lost their picks and the AFL fined them so we were the next cab off the rank, we finished ninth."