Drugs test two have fingers rapped

NEWS: The GAA's Disciplinary Panel responsible for issues arising out of drug testing has cautioned the Waterford County Committee, its team, and the two players over their failure to fully comply with the testing at last Sunday's Munster hurling semi-final.

Two Waterford players initially refused to give samples to the Irish Sports Council's drug testing officials, reportedly acting on the advice of Waterford officials, although samples were later given at the team hotel.

After considering the Sports Council's report in relation to the testing, the Disciplinary Panel yesterday issued a caution to Waterford relative to the necessity of facilitating testing at the predetermined location, within the terms of the drugs testing code, and also reaffirmed the consequences of non-compliance.

The GAA's Anti-Doping Code states that a player who fails to arrive at the sampling room within the specified period (90 minutes), or refuses to provide a sample, shall be deemed in breach of the anti-doping code. The punishment prescribed for such breaches are a maximum of a year for a first offence.

In issuing the caution, the GAA also confirmed its continuing commitment to the principle of drug testing, but stated that issues that have arisen in regard to drug testing have raised particular concerns in the association.

They would, therefore, be seeking further meetings with the Sports Council in an effort to address the issues that have arisen in order to alleviate the concerns. A series of seminars are planned for later this month to continue the educational process and implications of the drug testing.

The GAA's Disciplinary Panel, constituted under Article One, Chapter IV of the Code, meets to "hear cases where the Irish Sports Council has provided evidence that a doping infraction has taken place".

The panel of three is drawn from individuals expert in medical, legal and pharmacological matters.