The New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Defendants Sonny Cavanagh and Joe Vaifale after their samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis.
NZRL notified the Defendants and ordered a provisional suspension. Hereafter they were heard for the Tribunal.
Defendant Cavanagh stated he had smoked Cannabis approximately two weeks before the doping test. He suffered from a back injury and had difficulty sleeping although he used pain killers.
Defendant Vaifale stated he had smoked Cannabis a week before the doping test at a birthday celebration.
The Defendants stated they were aware of the existence of anti-doping rules, however they did not know that Cannabis was included on the list of prohibited substances.
The Tribunal accepts that the Defendants did not smoke Cannabis for performance enhancing purposes but finds their other assertions barely credible. Therefore the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand decides to impose a 6 week period of ineligibility on the Defendants starting on the date of their provisional suspension.
