Essendon remains under intense scrutiny over its duty of care to players, the chain of command, and the decision in the first place to hire scientist Stephen Dank. Picture: ABC Channel 2 Source: The Daily Telegraph THE controversial consent forms at the centre of Essendon's drugs investigation could eventually become the saviour for the club's players. Essendon players were told by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority on Wednesday they could escape sanction under a World Anti-Doping Authority get-out clause if they could prove they were unwittingly injected with substances. The players are still hopeful they will be totally exonerated through ASADA finding there were no illegal peptides or substances in their bodies. But the consent forms they signed listed the exact substances given to the players and stated those substances were WADA and ASADA-compliant. If anything illegal was later found to be given to players, those consent forms would prove the "no fault or negligence" clause that could see them dodge any penalties. The Herald Sun revealed on Tuesday the WADA clause, which could allow Essendon players to take the field even if they are found to have unwittingly taken banned substances. Essendon players also signed confidentiality forms to ensure the details of the peptides regime did not transfer to other clubs. The club maintains those forms were not legal waivers, but consent forms asked for specifically by the leadership group to ensure the supplements were above board. Players still unsure of the validity of the supplement program talked to the leadership group, with the decision to list the substances now seeming smarter by the day. The club remains under intense scrutiny over its duty of care to players, the chain of command, and the decision in the first place to hire scientist Stephen Dank, who was in charge of the supplements program. But while multiple officials inside Essendon could take the fall for the scandal, the players themselves appear increasingly likely to be insulated from penalties. Dank also accused Essendon coaches of taking substances outside WADA guidelines, an allegation to be investigated by ASADA in coming months. Interviews are set to start in coming days.