In November 2017 the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rugby player Patrick Hiller 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 he was heard for the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP).
The Athlete admitted the violation and denied the intentional use of the substance. He contended that the positive test was the result of consuming a drink at a party that was spiked with Cocaine two days before the sample collection. Here the scientific evidence of the London Lab confirmed that the administration more likely than not occurred more than 12 hours before the sample collection.
Based on the opinion of the London Lab the Panel accepts that the violation was not intentional and Out-of-Competition, in a context unrelated to sport performance. The Panel concludes that the Athletes failed to support his assertion about spiking with any evidence. He also failed to give a prompt admission because the Athlete made his admission only after a significant period of time had elapsed attributed to the Athlete's conduct.
Therefore the NADP decides on 2 May 2018 to impose a 2 year period of ineligiblility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 17 November 2017.
