Sponsors set to bail on Cronulla Sharks if found guilty of doping allegations

NERVOUS Cronulla sponsors will walk away from the club if it is found guilty of systematically cheating with performance-enhancing drugs.

NERVOUS Cronulla sponsors will walk away from the club if it is found guilty of systematically cheating with performance-enhancing drugs.

News Limited has learned the Sharks' small band of sponsors, who are being updated regularly on proceedings by the club, will wait until the ASADA process is finalised before making any decisions on funding.

However, it’s understood that should the club be found guilty of intentional doping, most will leave.

Speaking this morning on behalf of Blades, whose name appears on the Sharks' jersey,  managing director Bill Spyros said he was "sticking by the club" until all details had emerged.

Blades also have a private sponsorship with skipper Paul Gallen.

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"Like everyone involved with the club, we’re nervous,’" Mr Spyros said. "Right now, it’s too early to say if we’re walking away because we don’t have enough information to make a decision.

"We’ve only been given limited information by the club and really cannot say too much more until all the details have emerged.

"But as fans of rugby league, we really are hoping for the best possible outcome. Having an investment with several NRL clubs and players, the last thing we want to see is the game hurt. ”

While not all companies would go on record, there is a concern among some that Cronulla players may have unwittingly taken a supplement that had only recently joined the banned list.

Of the two drugs allegedly used by NRL players – CJC-1295 and beta thymosin – neither were on the WADA banned list in 2011. 

They were added only last year.

"And there’s certainly a very big difference between players accidently taking the wrong supplements and players cheating with drugs," said one sponsor.

"So has someone told the players what they were taking was okay? Are ASADA using the Sharks to make a statement? Who knows?”