NRL boss Dave Smith and his ASADA counterpart Ben McDevitt have forecast an end to the doping body’s 18-month investigation into rugby league.
On Saturday, Smith and McDevitt declared WADA would not challenge the bans handed down to players, unwittingly caught up in Cronulla’s 2011 supplements regime.
Smith confirmed 12 current and former Sharks players had accepted 12-month suspensions, backdated to November 23 last year, and said he had received assurances WADA was content with the process followed and the punishment meted out by the NRL and ASADA.
He dismissed reports the World Anti-Doping Authority could move to challenge the validity of the bans, which are effectively just three matches for the majority of players involved, or even act to lengthen them.
“My understanding is that ASADA and WADA have worked in close collaboration to get to this point,” Smith said.
“Now clearly, WADA won’t have received all of the details for all of the files. We only received those details last night as part of players being put on the register of findings.
“But my understanding, and in close cooperation with Ben and with the WADA team, is that they are understanding and supportive in principle as to where we find ourselves today.
“ASADA have been working in close cooperation and I have been talking to Ben regularly with WADA to make sure that the processes have been aligned and they are clear in principle with where we find ourselves today.”
The 12 past and present players to have accepted the bans are Paul Gallen, Wade Graham, Anthony Tupou, Nathan Gardener, John Morris, Jeremy Smith, Kade Snowden, Matthew Wright, Albert Kelly, Luke Douglas, Josh Cordoba and Broderick Wright.
In a statement released by ASADA, chief executive McDevitt concurred with Smith.
“Having a proven doping violation against these individuals is something that they will now carry with them for the rest of their lives,” McDevitt said.
“Our aim has always been to find out what happened at Cronulla in 2011. After a thorough investigation and a review of the evidence by former Federal Court Judge, the Hon Garry Downes, we have reached a code compliant outcome.
“Throughout this process, I have been in constant personal contact with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Director-General, David Howman, and the architect of the World Anti-Doping Code.
“I am confident that our handling of the process is fully compliant with the code.”
Smith said WADA’s approval of the bans would draw a line under the “torturous” investigation for the players involved, their families, the club and fans.
However, he indicated support staff, including banned coach Shane Flanagan – due to return to the Sharks next month – who were at Cronulla in 2011, could face further sanction from ASADA.
The NRL chief executive denied the bans were light.
“The ASADA code is really clear, the WADA code is really clear in the different types of penalties and the code has been applied in this instance by ASADA to arrive at these penalties,” Smith said.
“Those same steps would have applied for any sport.
“If there is an admission of guilt, you get a certain reduction; if there is substantial assistance, you get a certain reduction; if there is no significant fault, you get a certain reduction.
“Those things would get applied across all sports across Australia and across the WADA code.
“Remember, the players were investigated and ASADA finished the investigation in October 2013.
“It is not within their control that we find ourselves here today in 2014, without them getting an outcome.
“Within the code, within the ASADA rules, there is an allowance for anything outside of the players’ control and that is true for all sports.
“The circumstances of any anti-doping violation would be different but, frankly, the rules – as they are applied – would apply to any sport.”
Smith also revealed controversial biochemist Stephen Dank had been banned from the NRL for life over his role in the Sharks’ supplements program.
In a statement, the Rugby League Players’ Association said it “welcomed the confirmation by the CEO of the NRL, Dave Smith, that players were duped by those who had a duty of care towards them and who were ultimately responsible for the events at Cronulla in 2011”.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The paradox of parity is that even though we’re told we should want a wide open competition, the NRL seems to be more interesting…
The NRL's match officials announcement on Tuesday lunchtime is usually cause for little fanfare, but sparked debate this week with top ref Ashley Klein…
All the team list information for Round 8.
Braydon Trindall has been stood down from the Cronulla Sharks after failing an alcohol and drug test while driving on a suspended licence. The…
Cronulla co-captain Dale Finucane has announced his retirement from the NRL after "double-digit concussions" prompted him to call a premature end to his playing…
I’m sorry Newcastle, but this won’t be your year. Unless your whole approach can change. Kalyn Ponga’s Lisfranc injury may have cost him 12…
