North Sydney Bears' Curtis Johnston stood down over alleged illicit drug use

A NORTH Sydney Bears player has found himself at the centre of Australia's sport doping scandal.

Curtis Johnston

A NORTH Sydney Bears player has found himself at the centre of Australia's sport doping scandal.

Curtis Johnston has been stood down by the club as part of an investigation into allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs.

The Nine Network yesterday claimed Johnston was at the centre of an investigation following a series of damning text messages.

It is not yet clear if the drama surrounding Johnston is linked to the Australian Crime Commission's report claiming widespread drug use through Australian sport.

The Nine Network claimed it had secured possession of a series of text messages from Johnston boasting about his use of banned substances.

It is believed Johnston claimed the text messages were a joke.

Bears boss Greg Florimo claimed the outside back had never returned a positive drugs test.

"He's been here for the last five years, he's tested at least five or six times with ASADA and has come back negative every time," Florimo said.

NSW Rugby League boss Geoff Carr confirmed to News Limited that a player had been stood down following an allegation of illicit drug use.

"There's been an allegation and the club has been cautious and stood the player down," Carr said.

"There has been no positive test."

Carr declined to confirm the player or the club involved in the investigation.