Adam Walker, of Wakefield Trinity Rugby League Football Club, has been suspended from all sport for a period of 20 months following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV). Mr Walker tested positive for the presence of the prohibited substance benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine), following an In-Competition test on 14 July 2017, after a match between Widnes Vikings and Wakefield Trinity. Mr Walker was charged with an ADRV pursuant to Article 2.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules – “Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample”.

UKAD Chief Executive Nicole Sapstead said: “While UKAD accepts ADRVs don’t always stem from a deliberate intention to cheat, athletes must always adhere to the principle of strict liability. Cocaine is banned in-competition and athletes are solely responsible for what is in their system, regardless of whether there is an intention to cheat or not. Sportspeople must be aware that using cocaine, even out-of-competition, will put them at risk of breaking the anti-doping rules and receiving a long ban.”

The period of ineligibility shall apply from 14 July 2017 until midnight on 13 March 2019. To read the full judgement (click here to download), please click here.

• This media release was published by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) on 23 August 2018. Click here for the original.