Rugby:England international Delon Armitage has been charged by the Rugby Football Union after he allegedly pushed a doping control officer. It is also alleged that he used threatening and/or abusive and obscene language towards the officer from the UK Anti-Doping agency.
The incident occurred during a routine test immediately after London Irish’s English Premiership game against Bath on New Year’s Day. London Irish fullback Armitage, who returned a negative test, will face an RFU disciplinary hearing in London tomorrow.
He has been charged with “conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Union and/or the game, contrary to rule 5.12 of the rules of the Rugby Football Union.”
Armitage, 27, has won 19 England caps and is a member of Martin Johnson’s elite player squad for the Six Nations. He made his debut in 2008, and featured three times off the replacements’ bench during England”s autumn test series this season.
Armitage will face a disciplinary panel comprising RFU disciplinary officer Judge Jeff Blackett, Peter Budge and Robert Horner. If the charge is proved against Armitage, he could face a range of sanctions, including a fine or period of suspension.
