Bombers officials made the shock announcement on Tuesday that Australia's Sports Anti-Doping Authority had been called into an investigation that Essendon players might have used illegal substances last season.
AFL acting football operations general manager Gillon McLachlan confirmed league acknowledgement shortly after the Bombers confession.
The AFL today supported a decision by Essendon chairman David Evans to initiate an immediate independent investigation into recent claims about the club and its football department.
McLachlan said the investigation will be run jointly by ASADA and the AFL’s Integrity unit, headed by Brett Clothier.
McLachlan said the claims were serious and concerning and that a thorough investigation was appropriate.
“David Evans has briefed the AFL about the matter and we support his actions. The AFL’s Integrity Unit already works closely with ASADA and will assist with the investigation.”
The league declared that "no further comment will be made during the course of the investigation" to conclude their statement.
Evans released a separate statement as well, late on Tuesday afternoon despite his explosive media conference earlier.
"Over the last 48 hours, the Essendon Football Club has received information about supplements that have been given to our players as part of the fitness program in 2012," the Bombers boss said in a statement.
"Given the information we received and the questions it has raised, we have taken the following action:
"Firstly we, consulted with our staff, briefed our Board and all our players.
"Secondly, we contacted the AFL and earlier today we met with Gillon McLachlan and Brett Clothier to brief them, and to seek advice. Following that discussion we requested that the AFL commence an immediate investigation.
"Thirdly, today the Essendon Football Club contacted ASADA, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and requested their assistance in an investigation.
We offered the full cooperation of everyone at the club and ASADA has informed us that they will commence the investigation immediately.
"Of course, this is very distressing for our club, our Executive, our players and our board. We believe as a club that we have done everything to be compliant with the rules and regulations of the AFL and ASADA.
"But, the integrity of the club is critical for the people sitting at this table – and of course for the broader Essendon family, and that is why we have moved quickly today to call the AFL and ASADA to seek a clean bill of health.
"I appreciate that there is a lot of questions and many that we will not be able to answer today.
"We want this investigation to go where it will, and our club at every level will cooperate. We believe that we have acted today in a sensible and responsible way, and we now want the investigation to take its course."
Evans also concluded claiming his club will make no further comment.