Hull academy player handed drugs ban

A National Anti-Doping Panel has suspended Sam Walsh for two years after he was found guilty of breaching the RFL’s anti-doping regulations.

Walsh, who was a player registered with Hull FC Academy was found to have provided a sample containing 19 Norandrosterone and 19-Noretiocholanolone (metabolites of anabolic steroids.)

The National Anti-Doping Panel have found him guilty of an anti-doping rule violation and imposed a two-year period of ineligibility.

At the hearing, Walsh blamed contaminated supplements for the finding however under the concept of strict liability in the World Anti-Doping Code, players are fully responsible for any substances found in the sample they provide.

The RFL recommend that any players considering taking supplements should assess the need and the risk associated with taking them.

Sam Walsh’s suspension commences from January 30, 2010 which is the day his provisional suspension commenced.