The Australian Anti-doping Authority have urged three Manly Sea Eagles players to admit using banned substances, offering a reduced penalty for their assistance.
The players face a two-year ban if found guilty of using the performance-enhancing peptide CJC-1295.
ASADA has reportedly offered to reduce their bans to six months if they cooperate.
The allegations flow from the Australian Crime Commission’s report into criminal activity and the use of banned substances in sport. The commission named the Sea Eagles as one of six clubs to be reviewed.
Manly coach Geoff Toovey told The Sydney Morning Herald, “We were one of the clubs named so we were expecting [it]. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.
“All the players and the club are looking forward to playing football and getting this out of the way. It’s not great for the game, so that’s why we’re all hoping it’s finalised as soon as possible.”
Former Eels player Shane Shackleton told The Newsroom, “If I were guilty and looked like I was going to be proved guilty I would take the early plea.”
When asked if he had seen any evidence of drugs in sport, Shackleton said “I haven’t seen any of it or been around any of it… I definitely feel pretty cheated. I knew things like that were out there, but I wasn’t aware it was so widespread. I’ve heard of all those substances [and] I thought maybe a few went under the radar with it, but I didn’t think a lot of people were taking it.” – Paige Ahearn
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