In January 2024 the United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rugby player Finley Evans after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Enobosarm (Ostarine).
Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the National Anti-Doping Panel.
The Athlete accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. He explained that in 2023 he suffered from numerous infections related to glandular fever and underwent several medical treatments.
He used supplement to support recovery and he assumed that two particular supplements were the source of the positive test. However these supplements could not be tested anymore, because after the notice of charge, he had destroyed all the supplements he had in his possession.
The Panel finds that the presence of prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation.
Because the Athlete had destroyed his supplements the Panel determines that there is a lack of corroborating evidence in the his defence. As a result the Panel deems that he failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional, nor how the substance otherwise had entered his system.
Therefore the Panel decides on 16 September 2024 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 19 January 2024.
