In September 2015 the United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Shaun Cleary after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance cocaine.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and was heard for the National Anti-Doping Panel Arbitral Tribunal.
The Athlete admitted the violation and stated that on the Saturday evening before the match on Tuesday he had consumed alcohol and cocaine for recreational purposes. He argued that he didn’t know that the training session was converted into a match because he normally trains on Tuesday evenings and plays matches on Saturdays. Also for the Athlete’s rugby club it was the first time that there had ever been a drug test carried out and the players at the club had never received any anti-doping education.
Considering the circumstances and without intention to enhance sport performance the National Anti-Doping Panel Arbitral Tribunal decides on 5 January 2016 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 11 September 2015.
