In April 2019 the United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rugby player Margan Jefferies after his samples - provided in February and in March 2019 - tested positive for the prohibited substances Drostanolone and Cocaine. After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted the test results, the provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by UKAD.
The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substances and could not explain how the Drostanolone entered his system. He assumed that contaminated supplements could be the source of this substance. Regarding the Cocaine he explained that his use was recreational out-of-competition when he went out with friends a week before sample collection in a context unrelated to sport or to enhancement of sport performance.
UKAD contended that the Athlete failed to provide specific details about the alleged contaminated supplements he had used nor did he produce any evidence that would allow for scientific analysis of the supplements or even evidenced how and when he purchased the supplements. Because of the seriousness of the Drostanolone finding UKAD didn’t consider to proceed with the Athlete’s Cocaine finding.
Considering the Athlete prompt admission and without grounds for a reduced sanction UKAD decides on 4 September 2019 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. 23 February 2019.
