Brent Naden drug test ban: Panthers NRL star’s punishment revealed
Brent Naden could be back training on Friday despite a positive cocaine test following the NRL grand final - but the Penrith centre isn’t out of the woods yet.
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Penrith star Brent Naden has escaped a lengthy ban but he isn’t out of the woods yet with the NRL still investigating the circumstances surrounding his positive drug test.
Naden has been cleared to return to training from January 1 after receiving a one-month backdated ban following his grand final cocaine scandal.
Naden, who turns 25 on Wednesday, tested positive to Benzoylecgonine and Methylecgonine (metabolites of cocaine) from a sample collected after Penrith’s grand final loss to Melbourne on October 25.
He entered a rehabilitation program shortly before the positive result was announced and his one-month suspension will not impact on his 2021 season preparations.
However that may not be the end of the matter.
News Corp understands the NRL’s Integrity Unit is yet to complete its investigation into the positive test.
Despite the World Anti-Doping Authority reducing the severity of suspensions for out-of-competition and non performance-enhancing drugs, the NRL still has concerns about potential integrity issues.
The NRL is set to investigate whether Naden breached the code’s strict COVID bubble regulations to obtain the drugs.
Investigators will also quiz Penrith about the club’s knowledge of Naden’s actions and any other behavioural issues.
The investigation is not expected to be completed until the end of January before pre-season trials begin in February.
Naden’s one-month ban reflected the small concentration of illegal substances discovered which was deemed to not be performance-enhancing.
The amounts also suggested the drugs were not consumed on game day, thus being classed as out-of-competition.
“Having established that the ingestion of the cocaine was out-of-competition and not for performance enhancing purposes, Naden is sanctioned in accordance with new provisions of the incoming World Anti-Doping Code 2021 which permit a one-month period of ineligibility for qualifying athletes who also undertake an approved rehabilitation program,” the NRL said in a statement.
“In accordance with the WADA Code, Naden’s one-month period of suspension is backdated to the date of his provisional suspension and he will be eligible to return to training and competition on 1 January 2021.
“The sanction issued to Naden concerns the anti-doping breach only and any other related matters will be reviewed in the new year.”
Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher said Naden would return to training in the new year.
“Our club acknowledges the penalty handed to Brent Naden by the NRL in relation to his use of a recreational drug,” he said.
“Brent has come to understand the significant impact of his actions on his family, our club and the game of rugby league. He similarly understands how fortunate he is to have the opportunity to return to the NRL in 2021.
“With the support of Panthers staff and his family, Brent continues to work through his personal issues with a view to reaching his full potential on and off the field.
“We anticipate he will return to Panthers pre-season training following the completion of his suspension.”
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