Advertisement

Sandor Earl to face NRL over trafficking claims

The NRL says suspended winger Sandor Earl faces allegations of multiple league anti-doping rule violations, including a number of trafficking claims.

Chief operating officer Jim Doyle says the NRL’s anti-doping tribunal will be convened to offer Earl a hearing to determine the charges.

It comes after Earl’s lawyer Tim Unsworth told ABC TV’s 7.30 on Monday night that the Australian Sports Anti Doping Authority (ASADA) had placed Earl on its register of findings, but had omitted a previous allegation that he trafficked the peptide CJC-1295 while injured in 2011.

Doyle said on Tuesday that Earl had admitted injecting CJC-1295 on many occasions in 2011.

Further, in the tribunal, Doyle said he faced allegations of NRL anti-doping rule violations of trafficking or attempted trafficking in other prohibited substances including the growth hormone Somatropin, Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMS), the anabolic agent Clenbuterol and the testosterone blend Sustanon during 2012 and 2013.

Doyle acknowledged ASADA had “at this time elected not to record an allegation of trafficking of the banned peptide CJC 1295 on its register of findings”.

The NRL anti-doping policy provides for penalties of maximum two-year bans for using banned substances and from four years to lifetime bans for trafficking or attempted trafficking.

Earl was quick to hit back at the NRL, responding to Doyle’s statement on Twitter minutes after its release.

“Again complete disregard for the law and no support from the NRL these mistakes will be held accountable I know the facts head is up!!” he posted.

Now based in Phuket, Thailand, Earl has repeatedly expressed frustration at the length of time taken to finalise his case since the NRL went public with allegations about him in August last year when he was issued with an infraction notice.

However, Doyle defended the NRL’s handling of the matter.

“Mr Earl has publicly confirmed that he has been placed on ASADA’s Register of Findings and the NRL is now proposing to move to a hearing before its Anti-Doping Tribunal,” Doyle said.

“There is no place for drugs in our sport and we are comfortable with the way we have handled the matter in the best interests of the integrity of the NRL competition.”

Doyle said the NRL’s anti-doping policy required it to act when it had information that may constitute an anti-doping rule violation.

“We acted quickly to ensure a player who admitted using performance-enhancing drugs was not playing in our competition.

“We make no apologies for taking this stance.”

He pointed out that, after being stood down, Earl was in discussions with ASADA over a possible penalty discount to reflect substantial assistance he may have provided to its investigations.

“Those discussions have concluded, Mr Earl has been placed on ASADA’s Register of Findings and the NRL is able to offer him a hearing.”

In his statement, Doyle added the following points:-

* In the days leading up to 29 August Mr Earl made admissions in relation to breaches of the NRL Anti-Doping policy

* The NRL acted in accordance with its Anti-Doping Policy in making this announcement public at the time

* The policy enables the NRL to act when it comes into possession of information that may constitute an anti-doping rule violation. This operates irrespective of ASADA’s register of findings

* Mr Earl was invited to stand down and he chose to do this. The result being that any suspension Mr Earl receives will commence from 29 August 2013.

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.