Wrong. USADA offered former team mates of Armstrong reduced sentences so that they would testify against him. They also had scientific evidence against him (including proof that positive tests for EPO had been covered up), as well as overwhelming evidence that his performance had improved to superhuman levels. It was significantly more than just circumstantial evidence.
The only real question about the Lance Armstrong case was if UCI, ASO and others were so strong in their efforts to rid cycling of the drug culture, why did it take so long - the evidence was overwhelming.
This article explains a lot about that case.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ot...ng-doping-case-11-team-mates-testify-him.html
In the case of Essendon, this is not an appeal - it is a complete re-trial. Why? Are they accusing the AFL of covering up evidence to aquit the Bombers? Are they accusing the ASADA lawyers involved of being incompetent?
WADA are acting like a petulant little child - throwing a tantrum because they don't get their own way. This is fast turning away from natural justice and into a witch hunt. This investigation has been going on for over 3 years. If they haven't found enough incriminating evidence to convict the Bombers by now, maybe there isn't any, they are telling the truth and they weren't using PEDs (as much as we want them to be guilty).