In April 2020 the United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rugby player Daniel Bridge after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cocaïne.
Following notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by UKAD.
The Athlete explained that two days before the doping control he had consumed alcohol with a friend in a pub and used Cocaine recreationally. UKAD accepts that the violation was not intentional and occurred out-of-competition in a context unrelated to sport performance.
Further UKAD considers that the Athlete gave a prompt admission and that he has not established that he acted with No Significant Fault or Negligence.
Therefore UKAD decides on 4 December 2020 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 16 February 2020.
Hereafter in January 2021 the Athlete requested UKAD to reduce his sanction on the basis of lex mitior in the 2021 ADR regarding the classification of Cocaine as a Substance of Abuse. UKAD agrees that the Athlete had used Cocaine out-of-competition in a context unrelated to sport performance.
Therefore in accordance with Article 1.6.2(e) and 10.2.4 and lex mitior in the 2021 ADR UKAD decides on 8 January 2021 to reduce the Athlete's period of ineligibility from 2 years to 3 months.
Because the Athlete already had served 10 months of his sanction his period of ineligibility expires forthwith on 8 January 2021.
