Bronson Xerri doping case hit with fresh delays in damaging blow for Sharks

Bronson Xerri’s bid to clear his name before an anti-doping panel has hit a fresh hurdle in a body blow to the player and his club.

Cronulla's Bronson Xerri during NRL match Cronulla Sharks v Parramatta Eels at Shark Park. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Bronson Xerri’s agonising wait to determine his fate may not be known until the New Year following another delayed attempt to clear his name.

And the Sharks’ ability to recruit has also been severely impacted by Xerri’s case being adjourned until next month.

Cronulla are sweating on a verdict from the rising star’s doping case with the possibility of obtaining an extra $250,000 in their salary cap from the outcome which they could spend in 2021.

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Bronson Xerri and the Sharks may not get an outcome until after the Christmas holiday period in January. Picture: Phil Hillyard

In what most believed would be the final chapter in the saga, Xerri fronted the NRL anti-doping tribunal on Friday — only for the matter to be adjourned due to “issues with evidence.”

The crestfallen’s Cronulla talent’s case will recommence on December 22.

It can take up to 20 days for the tribunal to deliver their final determination meaning both he and the Sharks may not get an outcome until after the Christmas holiday period in January next year.

The chances of the Sharks obtaining a player of significant talent to replace Xerri just two months before next season are remote.

Friday’s hearing was held almost 12 months after Xerri tested positive to various performance-enhancing substances, including testosterone, which are banned by the NRL and the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA).

The 20-year-old had prepared to present his defence to the three-person anti-doping panel led by The Honorable Ian Callinan AC QC on Friday.

Xerri tested positive to various performance-enhancing substances, including testosterone.

Xerri sprint training at Centennial Park prior to the start of the 2020 season. Picture: Justin Lloyd

But during the hearing, his legal team requested “more time” after issues with evidence.

Xerri is facing a four-year ban from all sports after he was provisionally suspended on May 26 — six months after the original ASADA test was taken.

If a verdict is reached in January, it will be 14 months since the teenager returned a positive sample.

Aside from testosterone, three other substances were found in Xerri’s system, including androsterone, etiocholanolone and 5b-androstane-3a,17b-diol — all of which are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the NRL’s anti-doping policy.

The three-person panel can’t impose a ban longer than four years, but they have the power to reduce it.

Although the Cronulla club weren’t obliged to do so under the current NRL contract system related to payments during a player’s provisional suspension, the Sharks have continued to pay Xerri’s 2020 season salary up until Friday’s hearing, while also offering any welfare support he requires.

It‘s understood the Sharks stopped paying Xerri from November 1 with his 2021 salary sitting in escrow until a final determination is received.

Xerri, on the advice of his lawyer Ramy Qatami, has chosen not to go public with his story of how the substances were consumed.

His only statement was at the time of his provisional suspension by the NRL on May 26.

“I’m devastated but I’m bound by the system so there is not much more I can say at this stage,” the Xerri statement read.

“There is a process in place that I am required to follow.”

If Xerri is successful in arguing his ban be reduced, ASADA and WADA reserve the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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Originally published as Bronson Xerri doping case hit with fresh delays in damaging blow for Sharks