Press Statement From Erc: Drug Testing

ERC has informed the Munster player Frank Sheahan that he supplied a positive sample containing Salbutamol during a random drugs test at the end of the Heineken Cup semi-final in Toulouse on Saturday, 26 April. As a result, he is provisionally banned from all rugby activities in accordance with the ERC Anti-Doping programme.

ERC received the news of a positive finding from its drug testing team last week. The ERC Anti-Doping Officer immediately formed an independent Review Board to consider the evidence. The Review Board consisted of a doctor with anti-doping experience and an experienced rugby administrator.

Following the completion of the Review Board's analysis, ERC wrote to the player to inform him of his test result and of the procedures from here on in, in accordance with the ERC anti-doping programme.

A copy of that letter was also sent to Munster, the Irish Rugby Union and the International Rugby Board.

The player now has 21 days in which to inform ERC whether or not he wishes to have his B Sample tested. If the B Sample is tested, and the result of his A Sample is confirmed, then there will be a Disciplinary Hearing. If the B Sample is returned negative, then the case will not proceed.

If the player does not wish to have his B Sample tested then ERC will convene an independent Judicial Tribunal at the earliest convenient date. A three person panel will be called to hear the case. A leading legal practitioner will chair the panel, which will also comprise a leading medical practitioner and an eminent ex-player or rugby administrator.

ERC now awaits confirmation from Mr Sheahan on what course of action he wishes to follow.

NOTES

1. ERC ran a drug testing programme at almost 25% of the 79 Heineken Cup matches in the 2002/2003 season.
2. ERC uses the internationally renowned, Swedish-based sample gathering agency, IDTM, to conduct its tests.
3. All tests carried out are done on a random basis with two players from each side being asked to supply samples.
4. Mr Sheahan's sample was tested at an IOC accredited laboratory in Paris.
5. At the beginning of each season the players registered by every team in the Heineken Cup are required to sign a consent form in which they confirm they understand the drug testing procedures undertaken in the tournament and agree to partake in the Anti-Doping programme.
6. ERC carries out an anti-doping programme to ensure a level playing field in sport, to protect player welfare and to comply with IRB regulations on anti-doping.