Brian Carney denies allegations made about drug use in rugby league
Former player and current Sky Sports presenter Brian Carney has denied the allegations made about rugby league and problems with doping.
Former Scotland captain Ollie Wilkes became the latest player to admit to using performance-enhancing drugs in his career. In an interview with ITV News, Wilkes revealed that he used a banned substance during his time playing for Whitehaven and Wigan.
He became the second player to speak out, following former Super League forward Jamie Acton, who has been sharing his experiences on social media.
Brian Carney speaks on Sky Sports
Speaking to Sky Sports, Carney said: “Where’s the word ‘sorry’ in all of this? The game of rugby league has now got to go public and defend itself against charges of widespread performance-enhancing drug abuse in the sport, which is not the case.
“I am close to the game, close to current players and recently retired players; that is not the case.”
🗣 "It's NOT the case"
Sky Sports' Brian Carney is adamant that rugby league does not have a widespread problem with doping ⬇️
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 16, 2022
Read: Oliver Wilkes admits doping & Positive injury news for St Helens
Acton responds
Acton was quick to respond to Carney’s comments via social media.
The former forward featured for Workington, Leigh and Swinton during his career. He retired in April 2019 due to injuries. Acton was banned for two years earlier in January after a sample collected in 2014 was re-tested by the UK Anti-Doping agency.
He said: “I think it’s important, genuinely in life, if you muck up, to come out and talk about your experiences. Just having negative experiences in life and learning lessons, if you keep that to yourself and you don’t do anything, then what’s the reason in learning the lesson?
“Surely the whole point of learning lessons in life is to try and develop yourself and then try and support other people from making the same mistakes as you did.
“That’s the whole reason I’ve done this. I’ve not been paid a penny by the media. My flag in the sand is that I just don’t want people to go through the same experiences that I’ve been through.
“I was deeply depressed and suicidal after having to retire from rugby for a variety of reasons. I’ve since become very passionate about mental health and supporting people going through these experiences.”
He continued: “There is a problem. I get it. You’re (Brian Carney) trying to look after the integrity of the sport and say that there’s not a problem. But sweeping things under the carpet and not facing reality and facing facts is not helping or supporting anything.
“Rather than sweep things under the carpet, I’m genuinely here to try and make a difference.”