Canberra Raiders winger Sandor Earl has been issued with a breach notice and provisionally suspended by the NRL with regards to the ASADA investigation.
NRL CEO David Smith has said there has been an admission of “The use and trafficking of peptides”. Earl now has now will have the ability to review the charges against him and accept the penalty of 2 years for use and from 4 years to life for trafficking or he can appeal the charges.
The NRL released little to no other details as there is an ongoing investigation. The charges against Earl were not linked to his time at any one club, or to any other player.
If Earl is banned the ban would also apply to his move to Rugby Union next season.
Earl become the first big scalp in Rugby League to have been taken by ASADA and the NRL in their fight against the use of performance enhancing drugs in Rugby League.
No doubt there will be a lot of very nervous players out there right now…
Official Canberra Raiders Statement
The Canberra Raiders have been made aware by the NRL of allegations made against one of their players Sandor Earl.
“The club understands the allegations made against Sandor Earl relate to a time prior to his arrival at the club,” Said Raiders CEO Don Furner.
The club has only learned about the allegations this afternoon and will wait to be fully briefed on the matter before making any further comment on the issue.
Official NRL Statement
The NRL today issued Canberra player Sandor Earl with an Infraction Notice and has accepted an immediate provisional suspension for breaches of the Leagues Anti-Doping Policy.
The provisional suspension follows evidence relating to Mr Earl obtained by the NRL relating to the use and trafficking of the peptide CJC 1295 and other prohibited substances.
Sandor Earl has agreed to continue to assist with the investigation and is seeking to obtain the benefit of substantial assistance provisions.
NRL Chief Executive Mr Dave Smith said today that the news is a clear reminder of the significance of ASADA’s ongoing investigations.
“Today’s development reinforces the position we have taken from the outset and highlights our resolve in dealing with what are serious issues,” Mr Smith said.
“We continue to work with ASADA, the government authority in anti-doping, to get to the bottom of all allegations.
“We will act on evidence when it is fully available.
“Everyone should be in no doubt that ASADA is continuing its investigations and that we will continue to work closely with them.
“I stress that we do not have evidence at this stage that would warrant any further action against any individual or club.
“Our resolve on these issues remain clear.
“There is no place for drugs in our game and the sweeping actions we have taken in relation to new drug testing and the formation of the integrity unit this year underline our commitment in that area.
“The rights and welfare of the players also remains paramount and we continue to provide both welfare and legal support to them throughout this process.
“We want a safe environment for our players and that means a sport where there is no place for performance enhancing drugs and no place for people who take risks with the well-being of athletes.
“We remain committed to a drug free sport.”
