Ben Barba dumped by Sharks after positive cocaine test
UPDATE: Cronulla have released Ben Barba after he tested positive to cocaine four days after their premiership victory, with the fullback fleeing Australia for a stint at a Thai rehabilitation centre.
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THE CRONULLA Sharks have released grand final superstar Ben Barba after he tested positive to cocaine four days after their premiership victory.
Barba has left the country for a rehabilitation centre in Thailand after requesting - and being granted - a release from the 2016 premiers.
It was the second time in 12 months Barba had returned a positive test result for cocaine use, the first at the beginning of 2015.
Sharks CEO Lyall Gorman this morning said Barba and his representatives approached the Sharks on Friday and requested the fullback be released from the remainder of his contract.
After initially asking the NRL to extend the period of time to appeal the decision - a request that was granted - Barba decided against fighting the charge and papers were this morning lodged that finalised his release from the club.
“Last Friday we were approached by the player and his management, advising us that Ben wished to seek a release from his contract, to step outside the game to go away and focus on his own matters and his own issues,” he said.
“A lot of discussion occurred around that. We have agreed to release Ben from his contract so that he can go away and work very hard on addressing some of the matters that are very relevant to his own future well past his playing days.”
Gorman, who said he had developed a close relationship with Barba over the past season, didn’t know where the cocaine use had taken place and conceded things just got out of hand for Barba.
“He made a poor choice on a poor day. I don’t know if he got carried away with the celebrations (but he) obviously made a poor choice,” he said.
Barba’s positive test and release from the club has cast a shadow over the team’s premiership victory but Gorman said they had to focus on the huge achievement of the past year.
“There is a little air of disappointment and sadness across the playing group but we have to remain focused on what we achieved as a club on and off the field which was winning the grand final,” he said.
The Daily Telegraph revealed this morning the Sharks grand final celebrations had been shattered with revelations superstar fullback Ben Barba had tested positive to cocaine and faces a 12-week suspension from the beginning of next season.
Barba’s first positive test to cocaine occurred 12 months ago.
The fullback was informed about his first strike so he knew his contract was on the line if he breached the drug code again.
In leaving to attend an intensive overseas program last night following a recent positive drugs test, Barba said: I know and accept I need to take some time away from the game to deal with some personal issues.
“I am accountable for myself and my actions and if I don’t address them now I will certainly ruin my career and more importantly my life and that of my family.
“As footballers we often find it hard to speak up about having problems, but this decision has lifted so much pressure off myself that I cannot start to explain just how much better I feel by taking this action.”
“I hope to return to the game at some stage and am very grateful for the support of the Cronulla Sharks and I hope that one day I can again play beside this terrific bunch of guys.
“I have made some tremendous friendships both within the playing ranks and throughout the coaching and administration teams. This has made it all the more difficult to make this decision but it’s something I just had to do.”
Barba spent yesterday in Cronulla with his partner Ainslie and young family. They were spotted walking along the Cronulla esplanade before he flew out.
He will be accompanied by the Sharks’ welfare officer Shane Smith.
The former Bulldogs and Broncos fullback previously spent time in rehab in 2013 to deal with anger issues and a gambling addiction.
It was thought he had turned his life around at the Sharks this season where he returned to the form that saw him become Dally M champion in 2012.
A spokesman for the NRL declined to comment last night when asked if the integrity unit was handling Barba’s case.
In September the Daily Telegraph revealed all NRL clubs and players had been warned of a Mad Monday blitz on party drugs as hundreds of footy stars began their end-of-season celebrations.
“Players should be particularly aware that they are subject to testing in the period immediately following their team’s elimination from the competition, including after end-of-season celebrations and the like,” said integrity unit boss Nick Weeks says in an email to all the clubs.
He added: “This is a risk period for players and clubs so please take this opportunity to remind players about the league’s expectations (and the rules) in relation to illicit drugs.”
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