Facts
The International Rugby Board (IRB) charges Taligatuli Moala (the player) for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. Following the final match played on 23rd May 2008 between Upolu Samoa and Tautai Tonga in the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup Tournament 2008 Taligatuli Moala (the player) during in-competition testing, provided a urine sample which subsequently tested positive for the substance Salbutamol. Salbutamol is classified under S.3 of the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) 2008 List of Prohibited Substances.
History
Due to an injury the player asked his physiotherapist and team manager for pain relief. Instead of Voltaren tablets he took the tablets wih salbutamol. His representations claims no significant fault or negligence.
Decision
The sanction imposed for this anti-doping rule violation is a period of ineligibility of two years commencing from 7th July 2008 (the date upon which the player's provisional suspension commenced) and concluding (but not inclusive of) 7th July 2010.
