NRL 2020: Sharks hit out at ASADA over Bronson Xerri positive drug test
The Cronulla Sharks have hit out at ASADA for the lengthy Bronson Xerri investigation, claiming delayed doping test processes will hurt the entire NRL.
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The Cronulla Sharks have taken a shot at ASADA'S six-months of silence, claiming any further delays in Bronson Xerri's doping investigation by the government agency will only hurt the entire code.
A disappointed Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta called out ASADA's lengthy process as a "devastated" Xerri comes to terms with a possible four-year ban and the loss of almost $3 million in future earnings.
"It does seem a long process and our hope is that the next process isn't anywhere near as long to conclude,'' Mezzatesta said.
"That could be more damaging not only for the individual or the club, but the code itself.
"We should be celebrating the return of the game and that's what we should be focusing on. That's why I hope for an expedient outcome for all concerned.''
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Why ASADA took from last November when they conducted the blood test of Xerri until last Tuesday to inform the NRL, the Sharks and the rising star of his positive A-sample to a cocktail of banned steroids, remains a question that the anti-doping agency is unwilling to provide great clarity over.
But the decision to release the results just two days before the competition resumption hasn't been lost on the NRL.
Key figures within League Central have pointed to the fact James Segeyaro's positive test to a banned anabolic agent took four weeks to declare and ironically two-days before the 2019 NRL grand final last year.
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Mezzatesta wasn't defending the allegations laid against the 19-year-old, but admitted the club may never have let veteran centre Josh Morris leave to join the Roosters in March, if they were aware of Xerri's positive test.
"That's one of the reasons why we're quite disappointed at the length of time it's taken to notify, not only the NRL but the club - things may have been completely different for us,'' Mezzatesta said.
"Absolutely, had we been notified we may have taken things differently in our approach to our playing roster.''
The Sharks saw Xerri as their future and an insight into that belief was shown in February when the club offered the teenager a new deal worth close to $3 million.
The 19-year-old knocked back the offer of over $500,000 a season, with both the Sydney Roosters circling and a belief that a State of Origin call-up would increase his value.
Bunkering down from media at his home in the Sutherland Shire as he awaits the results of his B-sample yesterday, Xerri offered a brief statement to the media.
“I’m devastated but I’m bound by a process so I can’t talk at this stage,” Xerri said.
“I wish I was playing with the boys this weekend but I can’t. I wish them all the best.”
Xerri also had his mobile phone returned after it was forensically examined by anti-doping investigators.
Mezzatesta also confirmed that the NRL Integrity Unit had confirmed to the club that Xerri's alleged doping is the act of an individual - and not anyone else involved at the southern Sydney organisation.
"The briefing I've had from the NRL integrity unit clearly indicates this is a matter of an individual and not a club matter - so we have no other concerns at this present point in time,'' Mezzatesta said.
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Adamant the club had moved on from the shadows of the 2014 peptide scandal, Mezzatesta added he had spoken to ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and that the Sharks were willing to detail to the NRL all of their procedures and protocols.
"I've spoken to Peter V'landys, we're in constant contact, we know it's a matter of an individual - at this point in time, we certainly know its not a club issue,'' Mezzatesta said.
"We're more than happy to work with the NRL moving forward.
"We're very confident with the protocols we have in place, with the systems we have in place, it's unfortunate that this matter has arisen for a young individual that's associated with our club.
"Our priority is his welfare, but we certainly have no concerns about our club at this time and certainly not into the future.''
Originally published as NRL 2020: Sharks hit out at ASADA over Bronson Xerri positive drug test
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