Rugby league: Hornets player receives 4 year ban after testing positive for banned drug

Rochdale Hornets player Adam Carr has been banned from sport for four years after testing positive for a banned steroid-like drug.

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected an out of competition sample from Carr on 9 December 2019, at a Hornets training session, just days after he had joined Hornets from amateur club Thatto Heath.

The sample returned a finding of clenbuterol, an anabolic agent used to gain muscle and burn fat. The drug is banned at all times under the WADA 2019 Prohibited List and was initially developed to treat asthma in horses.

Carr, 20, was issued with a notice of charge and provisional suspension on 28 February 2020.

Carr admitted he had taken the drug, but challenged the imposition of the ban.

The matter was referred to the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP).

On 30 July 2020, the NADP issued Carr with a four-year ban from sport, which started on 9 December 2019 and will expire at midnight on 8 December 2023.

Carr subsequently appealed the NADP’s decision in his case. His appeal was ultimately dismissed on 3 December 2020 by an NADP appeal tribunal.

Carr joined Rochdale Hornets, his first professional contract, at the beginning of December 2019 from Thatto Heath.

Steve Kerr, CEO of Rochdale Hornets, said: “We take incidents of substance abuse very seriously. Adam unfortunately made an error of judgement and Rochdale Hornets have supported him through what’s been a difficult time.

“It is our belief that the substance was in his system prior to joining Rochdale Hornets, as he had only been with us for a short time.

“We respect the UKAD decision but must recognise that as a game we need to do more to raise awareness and educate players at all levels of the game, preventing further incidents such as these.”

Speaking on the case, UKAD Director of Operations, Pat Myhill said: “This was a very serious matter that involved a powerful anabolic agent, purchased from a friend via a third party in a gym. Clenbuterol is not licensed for human consumption in the UK.

“Athletes at all levels who are playing in sports adhering to anti-doping rules are required to take full responsibility for what they ingest and use. Athletes should think very carefully about who or where they are getting any substances from.

“We strongly urge that all athletes speak to medical professionals or their governing body, and also take the time to personally research and review substances before taking them.

“Online resources are readily available on the UKAD website such as GlobalDRO and Informed Sport to support athletes when in doubt.”