Josh Addo-Carr hit with formal breach notice over ‘illicit drug’

The NRL Integrity Unit has formally handed Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr a breach notice for “bringing the game into disrepute”.

Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr has formally been hit with a breach notice by the NRL amid reports he will receive a “three to four week suspension” after he tested positive for cocaine in a road side drug test.

The former Blues winger ruled himself out of the Bulldogs’ 24-22 finals loss to the Sea Eagles before accepting a $682 fine and a three-month suspension from driving.

Addo-Carr then fronted the NRL Integrity Unit, which released a statement on Tuesday evening ahead of a crucial call from Bulldogs powerbrokers.

Watch the best coverage of the 2024 NRL finals, with expert analysis and every game until the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

“The National Rugby League (NRL) today issued Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player Josh Addo-Carr with a Breach Notice alleging a breach of the NRL Code of Conduct,” the statement read.

“Addo-Carr was issued with a Penalty Notice by NSW Police earlier this month for the offence of ‘Presence of prescribed illicit drug in person’s oral fluid, blood or urine’ while driving a motor vehicle.

“The Breach Notice alleges that Addo-Carr has engaged in conduct which is against the law and has brought the game and his Club into disrepute.

“Addo-Carr has 5 business days to respond to the Breach Notice.”

Despite widespread reports he was preparing for the exit, Addo-Carr will reportedly be spared the axe by Canterbury-Bankstown powerbrokers.

Josh Addo-Carr may survive the axe. NRL PHOTOS

Instead, they are hoping a rival club will make a bid to secure his services and potentially save them precious space on their salary cap, chipping in for his next deal.

Should the Bulldogs terminate his contract, the full amount of his salary comes off their salary cap instead of a cut-price portion should he sign elsewhere.

“I’m told Canterbury don’t want to sack him, even if the finding comes back as we expect it will,” The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said.

“The reason being if they sack him, he can go and get another job straight away. If they hang on to him and St George for example, who need a replacement for Zac Lomax.

“St George will have to contribute to his money and Canterbury will get something out of it. His manager Mario Tartak insists Canterbury won’t sack him.

“There’s a chance of getting an earn, maybe $100,000 or $200,000 out of him.”

Rothfield likened the looming contract negotiations to a “game of chess” with the Bulldogs hopeful they will have a suitable club come to the table.

“There’s a couple of clubs now who has been waiting for Canterbury to sack him,” Rothfield said, with the Dragons, Eels and Rabbitohs previously floated as potential destinations.

While Addo-Carr is set to remain on the Bulldogs’ books for now, Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould previously explained the club will only make a move after the NRL’s sanction is handed down.

“As I understand it, part of their interview with Josh will be to understand how he represented himself to the club and what he told the club and whether or not they feel he’s misrepresented any of the events of that night and the ensuing days,” Gould said on the Six Tackles with Gus podcast.

“Once the NRL have made their determination, then it’s up to the Bulldogs club to deal with it and whatever they want to impose.

“As I said on 100% Footy last night, the future of Josh Addo-Carr, I will make a recommendation to the board on how I see the future going forward.

“That will go to the board for discussion, they may agree or disagree with whatever I have to say, they may have a different thinking on what’s happened.

“We’re still investigating, we’re still searching to find out what really happened. But at some point, there will be a discussion with his manager and with Josh going forward, it’s as simple as that and that’s what we have to do.

“And until such time as we get to that point, there’s not much more I can say about it.”

Originally published as Josh Addo-Carr hit with formal breach notice over ‘illicit drug’