Related case:
ST 2012_05 DFSNZ vs Jared Neho
January 25, 2013
On 25 January 2013 the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand decided to impose a 12 week period of ineligibility on the Respondent for committing an anti-doping rule violation after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis.
Hereafter an allegation was made that Respondent participated in a pre-season trials match on 17 February 2013 while suspended for a period of 12 weeks from 25 January 2013.
Respondent admitted the violation. He mistakenly thought the suspension didn’t apply to this club match as it wasn’t sanctioned by his regional rugby league body. He also received informal advice from a club president who thought it was okay for him to play for the same reason.
The Tribunal accepted that Respondent genuinely made a mistake in believing he could participate in the game, reinforced by advice he received, and that he didn’t intend to breach the suspension.
As Respondent couldn’t establish “no significant fault” for his breach, there was no basis to reduce any further required suspension penalty. Therefore the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand decides to impose a 12 week period of ineligibility on the Respondent starting on date of the breach on 17 February 2013.
