Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges suspension of NRL player for four years

March 23, 2021

Sport Integrity Australia has acknowledged the decision of the NRL Anti-Doping Tribunal to impose a four year sanction in relation to Cronulla Sharks player, Bronson Xerri.

The Anti-Doping Tribunal, chaired by the Honourable Ian Callinan AC QC with panellists Dr Sharron Flahive and Mr Sean Garlick, found that Xerri breached the NRL’s Anti-Doping Policy in November 2019 when he tested positive to the presence of exogenous Testosterone, and its metabolites Androsterone, Etiocholanolone and 5b-androstane-3a, 17b-diol.

The Tribunal found that Xerri intentionally took testosterone in late 2019 knowing that the substance was either banned or that there was a serious risk that it was banned. The Tribunal also found that Xerri’s actions were, on his own evidence, at best grossly negligent. The sanction imposed is the presumptive four-year ban for the use of serious performance enhancing substances.

During the 2019 NRL season, 20-year-old Xerri emerged as one of the game's best up and coming outside backs after scoring 13 tries from 22 appearances for the Sharks that year.

Xerri hasn't played in the NRL since the 2019 season following his positive test. Xerri’s suspension is taken to have commenced on the date of his test on 25th November 2019 and will expire on 25th November 2023.

The NRL will continue to offer Xerri wellbeing support.

Sport Integrity Australia Chief Executive David Sharpe says the agency is “committed to ensuring that there is a level playing field. Clean athletes are at the forefront of our efforts to keep the competition clean and we will always fight to uphold the integrity of sports and our competitions.”

8th December 2020 - Sport Integrity Australia and WADA to appeal reduction in Shayna Jack’s doping suspension

9th September 2020 - Drug Free Sport New Zealand shares review recommendations on school rugby anti-doping programme

10th December 2019 - World Anti-Doping Agency bans Russia from Tokyo Olympics and 2022 FIFA World Cup

19th November 2019 - Drug Free Sport NZ holds successful first anti-doping conference

16th October 2019 - Melbourne media cast doubts over ASADA’s handling of Essendon doping scandal

11th September 2019 - Australian Parliament agrees legislation to create Tribunal to handle doping and integrity breaches

30th July 2019 - ASADA says confidentiality vital to anti-doping process

29th July 2019 - Swimming Australia scrutinised over handling of Shayna Jack doping result

22nd August 2018 - ASADA Chief Executive David Sharpe says integrity reforms can end doping conflicts

5th December 2017 - State-sponsored doping program sees Russia banned from PyeongChang Winter Olympics

18th August 2017 - New Chief Executive named for Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority

13th October 2016 - Essendon players lose Swiss Federal Tribunal appeal over doping bans

18th July 2016 - FINA partners with national anti-doping organisations ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics

9th May 2016 - Australian Sports Commission warns sports about match-fixing and doping risks

14th March 2016 - Drug Free Sport launches anti-doping e-learning programme

16th February 2016 - Australian sport reveals united anti-doping efforts leading up to Rio 2016

25th January 2016 - Reports suggests that adidas will end its IAAF sponsorship over doping scandal

15th January 2016 - World Anti-Doping Agency says IAAF corruption is ‘embedded’

15th September 2015 - World Rugby announces record anti-doping investment

29th August 2015 - More women on sports boards would reduce doping and match-fixing

23rd June 2015 - Research shows sport doping actually decreases performance

4th June 2015 - WADA appealing AFL anti-doping tribunal to clear Stephen Dank of doping charges

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