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BREAKING: Shane Flanagan has been stood down by the Cronulla Sharks as the fallout from the ASADA anti-drugs investigation continues.
In addition to the suspension of Flanagan, it is understood that general manager Darren Mooney and head trainer Mark Noakes have also been removed from their respective positions.
Fairfax Media are also reporting that physiotherapist Konrad Schultz and club doctor David Givney have also been removed from their respective positions at the club.
“I’m shattered,” Flanagan told The Daily Telegraph this afternoon.
“None of us had any knowledge of what was happening.”
It is believed that the decision to stand Flanagan down from his duties as the first-grade coach came after Flanagan met with ASADA investigators at Shark Park today.
Current assistant coach and former Northern Eagles and Manly Sea Eagles coach Peter Sharp will coach the team in their NRL opener against the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday afternoon.
The suspension comes just days after reports that up to 14 players had been implicated in the ASADA anti-drugs investigation, with ex-ASADA lawyer Richard Redman advising involved players to accept discounted six-month bans in exchange for co-operating with investigators.
It is believed that scrutiny had surrounded the Sutherland-based club since news surfaced that it had employed sports scientist Stephen Dank in a consultancy role in 2011.
While the Sharks are not believed to have officially sacked Flanagan, it is believed the standing down is likely to spell the end of Flanagan’s tenure as head coach of the team, which began in 2010 after Ricky Stuart was sacked mid-season.
Cronulla Sharks will hold a press conference at 6.00pm AEDT to discuss the matter.
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