One of Australia's best-known football clubs has received the heaviest sanctions in the sport's history after being investigated by the country's anti-doping agency. The Essendon Australian Rules Football Club received a record fine and was barred from end-of-season finals. The Australian Rules Football League (AFL) said the investigation had made deeply disturbing discoveries. It said the club was found guilty of using an experimental supplements programme on its players and it was inadequately vetted and controlled and failed to protect the health and safety of the team. Essendon was the focus of an extensive six-month investigation by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).