In January 2015 World Rugby has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Bermudan rugby player Antonio Perinchief after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance clenbuterol.
The Athlete provided a sample during his participation in the Tournament in Mexico City in December 2014. The WADA accredited laboratory reported that the low concentration clenbuterol found in the Athletes samples is consistent with the consumption of contaminated meat (Mexico and China).
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the World Rugby Judicial Committee.
The Athlete denied the intentional use of clenbuterol and requested to lift the provisional suspension. He asserted that the positive test results were caused by eating contaminated meat in Mexico without his knowing that the meat was contaminated.
The Committee accepts the Athlete explanation and evidence, unchallenged by World Rugby, and finds that the Athlete did not know or suspect that the meat he consumed was contaminated with clenbuterol. There is no other known or possible source or explanation for the clenbuterol and World Rugby did not suggest one.
Therefore the World Rugby Judicial Committee decides on 29 June that the Athlete has discharged his burden under the Rules and no period of ineligibility or any other sanction was imposed.
