Barlow banned for four years

Leigh forward Sam Barlow has been suspened from all sport for four years after evading drug testers.

Barlow intentionally disrupted the Doping Control process by obstructing a UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) Doping Control Officer during an out-of-competition test attempt at his home on 31 July 2015.

An independent National Anti-Doping Panel found that Barlow had committed an ADRV pursuant to Article 2.5 of the World Anti-Doping Code – “Tampering or Attempted Tampering with any part of Doping Control”.

The 28-year old appealed against the decision but it was upheld by a National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel.

Barlow, from Halifax in West Yorkshire, was also subject to criminal proceedings relating to the test attempt and on 23 May 2016 pleaded guilty to Common Assault at Bradford Crown Court.

UKAD’s Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead, said: “The outcome of this case sends a clear message that we will not tolerate obstructive or threatening behaviour towards any of our personnel. Whilst incidents such as this are rare, the obstruction of the doping control process in any way is, and will be, taken very seriously.

“Our role is to deter and detect those who cheat the system and protect everyone’s right to clean and honest sport. We cannot do this on our own and we ask all athletes, support staff and even family members to work with us to support the testing process so we can continue to protect the very essence of sport – fair play.”

Barlow is banned from all sport from 23 November 2015 until midnight on 22 November 2019.