Karmichael Hunt fined $30,000, suspended for six weeks by ARU and QRU after pleading guilty to cocaine possession

KARMICHAEL Hunt has been hit with a six-week ban and fined $30,000 by the ARU and QRU after pleading guilty to cocaine possession.

KARMICHAEL Hunt has been hit with a six-week ban and fined $30,000 by rugby’s powerbrokers after today admitting “I made a terrible mistake.”

The Australian Rugby Union and Queensland Rugby Union issued a statement on Thursday detailing the punishments just hours after Hunt pleaded guilty to cocaine possession at Southport Magistrates Court.

Hunt pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of a prohibited drug in court where he was fined $2500.

No conviction was recorded.

Hunt has also been stripped of the Queensland Reds’ vice-captaincy.

Hunt accepted the rugby-imposed penalties and the code took the lead in having to act despite making the point in the joint statement that Hunt was “contracted to another code (AFL) during the time in question.”

Hunt leaves the Southport magistrates court fined $2,500 for cocaine possession.

“I made a terrible mistake last year and have no one but myself to blame for this situation,” Hunt said in the statement.

“I am genuinely sorry for the distress I have caused my family, friends, team mates, Reds members, sponsors, fans and the wider rugby and sporting community in Queensland and beyond.

“I intend to work through the education and rehabilitation program and will return to the game in a way that sends a clear message to sports fans of all ages that the use of illicit substances has no place in sport.

“I am grateful for the support I have received from Queensland Rugby over the past few weeks and intend to repay their loyalty through my future actions on and off the field.”

Hunt has been stood down from two Queensland Reds games already and will miss a third on Saturday night when his teammates play the NSW Waratahs without him at Suncorp Stadium.

The ban means Hunt will be available to return to Super Rugby in Round Eight, the clash against the Melbourne Rebels in Melbourne on April 3.

The ARU, QRU and the Rugby Union Players’ Association said Hunt will also undergo a drug treatment and rehabilitation program and will be placed on a monitored and targeted drug testing program.

Both are requirements under the ARU’s Illicit Drugs Policy.

“During the period from March 5 to March 22 he will train at the Reds’ Ballymore facility at times when the main Reds squad are not training there,” the statement said.

Hunt played just one Super Rugby game for the Reds before being stood down for cocaine possession.

“He will then integrate within Reds team training sessions from March 23 in advance of the Reds’ Round Eight game against the Rebels in Melbourne.”

ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said: “We are extremely disappointed in Karmichael’s actions as illicit substances have no place in rugby.

“However we acknowledge that he is sincerely remorseful and has cooperated with the investigation and our integrity inquiries throughout this process.

“Karmichael has also accepted the penalty and consequences of his actions and understands the requirements of a professional athlete and the expectations of our code.”

QRU chief executive Jim Carmichael said: “Each individual will have their own perspective and opinion on this issue and this specific case based on their personal life experience.

“In arriving at these penalties we have all been acutely mindful of our responsibilities to sport and the wider community, as well as the long-term interests of the game, our stakeholders and our fans.

Hunt escaped conviction but was fined $2,500 by the court. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“However, major professional sport in Australia also regards the use of illicit substances as a welfare issue in the first instance.

“Karmichael has shown significant contrition and remorse throughout this process and rugby is now applying the rationale in its Illicit Drugs Policy to ensure Karmichael receives the appropriate education and rehabilitation in advance of a return to the Rugby field.

“We have also decided that in the circumstances, Karmichael will stand down as a vice-captain of the Reds. The Reds have a significant leadership group to offer support to our captain James Slipper.”

Originally published as Karmichael Hunt fined $30,000, suspended for six weeks by ARU and QRU after pleading guilty to cocaine possession