Angry Cronulla Sharks players claim they are being held to ransom by ASADA

ASADA stands accused of blackmailing Cronulla players into confessing they had unwittingly used performance-enhancing substances.

THE Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority stands accused of blackmailing Cronulla players into confessing they had unwittingly used performance-enhancing substances - while the NRL continued to say precious little on the scandal engulfing the club.

Stunned Sharks players are, for now, rejecting the ultimatum from former ASADA legal counsel Richard Redman to accept a six-month suspension with full pay or face the grim possibility of a two-year sanction without it.

Sources close to several players have told The Daily Telegraph they are angry as they feel that they are being "blackmailed" into accepting a suspension when they have not been charged or interviewed by ASADA investigators.

Redman was engaged by the club, not the players, after the Sharks were one of six clubs named in the Australian Crime Commission report into illegal doping early last month.

The NRL took most of yesterday to decide if it would be commenting on the matter, before chief executive Dave Smith released a statement late in the day.

Typically, it said very little.

"We accept that the ongoing speculation around the ASADA investigation is causing incredible uncertainty for many in the game, particularly right now for Cronulla and its fans," Smith said.

"As I have said from day one, the NRL is taking the ASADA investigation very seriously. It is an investigation that must be allowed to run its course and it is inappropriate for us to enter into speculation about what may be taking place."

It is understood NRL powerbrokers spoke to ASADA officials about the Sharks investigation, but it is unclear if they discussed the bizarre process of wanting Cronulla players to confess and accept bans even though they have not been charged with a doping violation.

If a player has tested positive to a banned substance, or there is sufficient evidence, the NRL must charge him.

Meanwhile, there is also frustration over the lack of action from the Rugby League Players Association, although chief executive David Garnsey said last night said he had contacted the club but had not heard back from them.

Luke Lewis

"It is of critical importance that the club is doing what it can to look after the best interests of its players, as well as the best interests of itself," Garnsey said. "I've contacted the NRL to obtain some information, but they have not been able to tell me a great deal. I've tried to contact the club itself, but my calls there have not been returned.

"We've made ourselves available to all players, just not Sharks players, since this story broke."

While the situation with the Sharks remained at a crossroads last night, there is already plenty of concern about the ramifications if much of the squad is suspended for the rest of the season.

There is speculation some players who have since signed with the club since 2011 when the peptides were allegedly taken would also consider legal action because of the damaging effect on their careers.

Broadcasters Channel 9 and Fox Sports remain mute on the scandal, but they are sure to seek compensation if the club cannot field a first-grade side this season.

Cronulla Sharks