Hardaker tests positive for banned substance

Castleford Tigers have today issued a statement about Zak Hardaker and his swift withdrawal from the Tigers Grand Final preparations.

The club received notification that Zak Hardaker had tested positive for a banned substance following a Super 8s match against Leeds Rhinos on 8th September 2017.

The statement reads:
The club was made aware at 10:00am on Thursday morning that the player would receive official written notification from UK Anti-Doping and therefore the player was immediately suspended. Official notification was delivered on Friday and following discussions with the player on Sunday the decision was taken to announce the result of the test today in order to clarify the circumstances around Zak’s omission.

Zak Hardaker, said: “I would like to apologise to my Castleford Tigers teammates, the staff and all fans for my enormous error of judgment. I was given an opportunity by this great club and in what has been one of the most important weeks in its history, I have let everyone at the club down. For that, I truly apologise,”

“Finally, I would like to make it clear that in no way did I, nor would I, ever take a substance with the intention of enhancing my performance.”

Castleford Tigers will be making no further comment until the outcome of the case has been determined.

The RFL also confirmed that Hardaker would not be considered for international duty.