The National Rugby League (NRL) Anti-Doping Tribunal has suspended Cronulla Sharks player Bronson Xerri for 4 years. The Anti-Doping Tribunal, chaired by the Honourable Ian Callinan AC QC with panellists Dr Sharron Flahive and Mr Sean Garlick, found that Mr Xerri breached the NRL’s Anti-Doping Policy in November 2019 when he tested positive to the presence of exogenous Testosterone, and its metabolites Androsterone, Etiocholanolone and 5b-androstane-3a, 17b-diol.

The Tribunal found that Mr Xerri intentionally took testosterone in late 2019 knowing that the substance was either banned or that there was a serious risk that it was banned. The Tribunal also found that Mr Xerri’s actions were, on his own evidence, at best grossly negligent. The sanction imposed is the presumptive 4-year ban for the use of serious performance enhancing substances.

Mr Xerri’s suspension is taken to have commenced on the date of his test on 25 November 2019 and will expire on 25 November 2023. The NRL will continue to offer Mr Xerri wellbeing support.

• This media release was published by the National Rugby League (NRL) on 23 March 2021. Click here for the original.