In November 2018 World Rugby (WR) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Turkish rugby player Emre Bender after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Testosterone. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and was heard for the WR Judicial Committee
The Athlete accepted the test results and testified that he had used tablets provided by a fitness trainer at the gym. He acknowledged that he had received some warnings from his coaches and the Turkish Rugby Federation about doping. He requested the Panel to be as lenient as possible as he was anxious to avoid any lengthy suspension.
WR contended that the Athlete failed to establish that the violation was not intentional and requested the Panel to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility.
The Panel finds that the Athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation since his samples tested positive for testosterone. The Panel concludes that the Athlete failed to establish the violation was not intentional nor did he establish No Significant Fault or Negligence.
Therefore the WR Judicial Committee decides on 18 April 2019 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 1 November 2018.
