Related cases:
- SDT 2006_13 Touch New Zealand vs William Morunga
July 4, 2006 - ST 2023_04 DFSNZ vs William Morunga
June 1, 2023
In April 2005 the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency (NZSD) and Touch New Zealand (Touch NZ) have reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis.
After notification Athlete filed a statement in his defence and was heard for the Tribunal. He admitted he had smoked Cannabis and denied the intentional use of the substance.
The Tribunal deems that an aggravating factor is the fact the Athlete had only very recently signed Player Participation Agreements with Touch NZ. In these agreements the athletes undertook to abide by all drug/doping rules and regulations, including those provided by the International Federation, WADA, the International Olympic Committee and the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency.
Further the Tribunal deems that an additional aggravating factor is the past history of his Athlete’s Counties-Manukau team with drugs. The Athlete was a member of the side when its members twice transgressed seriously on drug offences in 2004.
The Tribunal considers that the Athlete clearly understood the protocols and rules but simply elected to ignore them.
The Tribunal notes that although it was fashionable in some circles to debate whether Cannabis should be a prohibited substance, this did not form part of the Tribunal’s decision making.
The Sports Disputes Tribunal of New Zealand decides on 2 August 2005 to impose a 2 month period of ineligibility, including a severe warning and a strong reprimand on the Athlete.
