Roosters star Shaun Kenny-Dowall offers to take a hair follicle test to prove he doesn’t do drugs
THE Sydney Roosters have stood down star winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall indefinitely as he faces missing out on a $1.2 million payday over a drugs scandal.
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ROOSTERS star Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been stood down indefinitely by the club following his arrest on drugs charges on Friday.
The decision comes following a disastrous weekend for the NRL which embroiled Kiwi Test stars Jesse Bromwich and Kyle Proctor as well as Sharks chairman Damian Keogh in their own drug scandals.
A statement from the Roosters said Kenny-Dowall was stood down pending the conclusion of the club’s internal investigation and consultation with the board of directors.
The Daily Telegraph understands the Newcastle Knights are on the verge of withdrawing a four-year contract offer to the veteran winger as a result of the possession charges. The offer was worth more than $1.2 million.
Kenny-Dowall on Monday had denied using cocaine in a confidential letter from his lawyers to the NRL integrity unit.
The Roosters star faces a 12-week ban if caught for a second time under the league’s policy.
An NRL source said if Kenny-Dowall was found guilty of cocaine possession, it would be the same as testing positive.
As he fights to save his decade-long career, the 29-year-old winger/centre has offered to take a hair follicle test which can trace cocaine use in the previous 90 days.
High profile lawyer Chris Murphy is acting for Kenny-Dowall.
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He says in the letter: “My client has been subjected to many random tests in his substantial playing career. He has never broken the rules in this area of chemicals or prohibited substances.
“After he was arrested my client immediately volunteered for and underwent a medical test of his urine.
“He also sought a blood test but the facility was not available at the clinic at that time of morning. He denies using the drug cocaine or any illegal drug or medication.
“My client invites the NRL to arrange any test immediately they desire to establish the state of any drugs that may be in an illegal drug user’s system.
“We have explained to Shaun Kenny-Dowall that a hair follicle test would show whether or not he has used cocaine. The test would demonstrate any presence over a period of months.”
The letter gives no explanation why Kenny-Dowall was allegedly in possession of cocaine.
The NRL issued a statement acknowledging receipt of the letter.
“We’ve received a letter from Shaun Kenny-Dowall’s legal representatives. As with other matters, we will allow the court process to take its course,” the statement read.
Kenny-Dowall was arrested at the Ivy nightclub last week where he was partying with other football players.
Murphy told the integrity unit “No plea has yet been entered.”
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