Rugby league player, Morgan Jefferies, of West Wales Raiders RL, has been suspended from all sport for a period of four years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
Mr Jefferies tested positive for the presence of two prohibited substances following an in-competition test, after a match between West Wales Raiders RL and London Skolars on 23 February 2019. The substances were drostanolone and its metabolite 2α-methyl-5α-androstan-3α-ol-17-one; and benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
Drostanolone is listed under section S1.1(a) of the WADA 2019 Prohibited List as an Exogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroid. It is a non-Specified Substance that is prohibited at all times.
Cocaine is listed under section S6(a) of the WADA 2019 Prohibited List as a Stimulant. It is a non-Specified Substance that is prohibited In-Competition only.
Mr Jefferies was also subject to an out-of-competition test on 7 March 2019. The analysis of the A sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for drostanolone and its metabolite 2α-methyl-5α-androstan-3α-ol-17-one.
Mr Jefferies was charged with an ADRV pursuant to Article 2.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules – “Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample”.
UKAD’s Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead, said: “It is always concerning when an athlete is found to have a prohibited substance in their system, but when more than one substance is found, or substances are found on multiple occasions, it is of particular alarm.
“All athletes, at all levels of sport, must be aware of the principle of strict liability. If they are in any doubt, especially around things like supplements and medications, it is always advised to check the products on websites such as Informed Sport and Global DRO, or to seek professional, medical advice.”
The period of ineligibility shall apply from 23 February 2019 until midnight on 22 February 2023.
