Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has decided against appealing the NRL’s one-year suspension over the ASADA scandal

SHARKS coach Shane Flanagan will not appeal the NRL’s one-year suspension over the ASADA scandal — and could be back for the finals.

BANNED coach Shane Flanagan will be back in charge of Cronulla for the NRL finals if the Sharks make it.

Flanagan yesterday finally accepted his suspension over the ASADA scandal, dropping all threats of an appeal or legal action. It means he can return on September 17 in what will be the second week of the finals series. He has agreed to undertake an NRL education program which reduces his suspension from a year to nine months. The huge legal costs weighed heavily in his decision not to launch a court challenge or to appeal the NRL’s processes.

News_Image_File: Suspended Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan leaving his home in Bangor in Southern Sydney.

“I am bitterly disappointed that submissions made in response to the interim suspension were not accepted,” he said.

However he said he was pleased that there was no finding that he had involvement in the supplement program.

“To me, that’s the important exoneration,” he said.

“The adverse findings concerning me were only about the club’s governance in 2011 when, as Mr Smith also accepted, the Sharks were under-resourced and without a chief executive.

“The only thing I want everyone to understand out of all this is that I am no drug cheat. I will happily engage with the NRL on its continuing education requirements.

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“Getting back to coaching at the Sharks as soon as possible is my sole priority. I’ve got six months and two days to go.”

Flanagan acknowledged the Sharks for their resolute support throughout the crisis.

“I would like to thank the Cronulla Sharks for their unwavering support of me throughout this most difficult time and urge all Sharks fans to continue to support this great Club.” he said.

Flanagan said he will look at taking up a part-time coaching job in England over the next six months.

The NRL has confirmed Flanagan may return in September if he abides by all conditions of the ban.

CEO Dave Smith said he welcomed the responses from the Sharks and Mr Flanagan.

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“It has always been our aim to deal with these matters in a transparent and fair way,” he said. “We’ve done that and now it is time to move on.

“It is now up to the Club and Mr Flanagan to take the appropriate steps to satisfy the conditions we have put in place to ensure there is no repeat of this breach.

“It also means the Sharks club can focus its attention on continuing to run a successful club on and off the field. We recognise the constructive way the Sharks Board, headed by Damian Keogh, has approached this matter.”

Meanwhile, banned trainer Trent Elkin has been granted an extension until Monday to determine if he will appeal his NRL suspension.

Elkin was the head trainer who hired controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank.