Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

National Rugby League Cronulla Players Not Worried Over Resumption Of ASADA Interviews

At least eight National Rugby League side Cronulla Sharks players, including New South Wales State of Origin captain Paul Gallen, were in negotiations to cut a deal over alleged anti-doping violations in March, according to Hooper, Massoud & Wilson of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Documents obtained by the Daily Telegraph show that "the Sharks players felt they were let down by the club on the basis that Cronulla staff directed them to use certain supplements, now believed to be prohibited peptides," and were advised the products had been cleared by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority. The deal was being brokered at the same time as the NRL became aware the Australian Football League had a favorable private deal with the government, "meaning Essendon players could possibly escape the drugs-in-sport investigation with no sanctions." In a separate document exclusively published by The Daily Telegraph on Monday, "the government indicated ASADA would explain to the Essendon players that these are exceptional circumstances and the defence of no fault or negligence may be available, meaning they might not have to serve a ban at all." In contrast, Cronulla and the NRL were only offered the lesser "no significant fault" defence that reduces bans to a minimum of six months (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 7/23). In Sydney, Walter & Lane wrote "Cronulla players have no concerns about the resumption of interviews with ASADA and want a speedy resolution to the investigation into allegations of drugs use at the club." Up to 14 Sharks players and 30 players and support staff from various clubs were told on Monday that "they had 48 hours to schedule interviews with ASADA as part of its ongoing investigation" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 7/23).

THE FINAL SAY: In Melbourne, Baker & Landsberger wrote "an independent government panel will have the final say on whether Essendon players are charged with doping offences." The Anti-Doping Rules Violation Panel will take recommendations from ASADA "at the completion of its investigation into the possible use of banned drugs by the Bombers last year." The ADRVP appointed by the Federal Sports Minister "will then recommend to the AFL if it finds infraction notices should be issued to players." The panel can recommend a penalty, "although that would ultimately be decided by an AFL tribunal" (HERALD SUN, 7/22).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2013/07/23/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Cronulla-Sharks.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2013/07/23/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Cronulla-Sharks.aspx

CLOSE