Player cleared over drug use

An unnamed All-Ireland League Division One player has been cleared by the IRFU of any wrongdoing despite taking a substance which is in contravention of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) anti-drug regulations, writes Gerry Thornley.

The player was cleared on the grounds that he voluntarily informed the referee prior to a match that he was taking a prescribed drug due to a potentially life-threatening condition.

The player had sought written medical approval from his GP. After he had informed the match referee prior to a Division One game over a month ago, the referee then informed both clubs of the position, and they in turn raised no objection to the player taking part in the game.

The development came to the IRFU's light when it was included in the referee's match report, and after an investigation, the player was cleared.

"Everything the player did was honest, true and above board," said IRFU press officer John Redmond last night. "There was no attempt to hide anything."

However, informing the referee was not the correct procedure, and after media inquiries the union felt obliged to release a statement last night.

"The Irish Rugby Football Union has reviewed the circumstances surrounding a case where a club player gave notice to a match official prior to a club match that he had taken medication for a potentially life threatening condition on the advice of a consultant medical specialist.

"This medication, gluocorticosteroid, was taken in a form that in normal circumstances would be in contravention of the IOC anti-doping code, but for which medical exemptions may be granted where medically justified.

"Due to the urgency of the medical situation, correct procedures were not followed in full. However, the IRFU is satisfied from its investigations that an exemption would have been appropriate in this case and is satisfied that there is no credible evidence that a doping offence occurred."

The union will not divulge the player's identity. "In the traditions of the IRFU and the IRB, there is no need to make this player's identity known," said Redmond.