In December 2017 the United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rugby player Harry Reardon after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substances 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone) and Drostanolone.
After notification and after a provisional suspension was ordered the Athlete gave a promp admission to UKAD, requested to be heard and argued that he was not signed to a club at the time of the Out-of-Competition test. Hereafter the Athlete failed to respond to any of the communications from UKAD and the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP), neither did he attend the hearing.
The Panel establish that when the Athlete provided a sample on 30 November 2017 he was still under contract to his rugby club and therefore subject to doping control under the RFL Rules. Also during a period of 12 months following the end of his contract the Athlete is still subject to the RFL Rules including the UK Anti-Doping Rules.
The Panel notes that the Athlete initially gave a prompt admission but failed to file any evidence in his defence as to reduce the sanction. Without the Athlete’s response the NADP concludes that the Athlete committed the anti-doping rule violation and decides on 15 May 2018 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 30 November 2017.
