UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) today confirmed that rugby league player Moutoa Lance ‘Rangi’ Chase has been suspended from all sport for two years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV). A player with Widnes Vikings, Mr Chase tested positive for benzoylecgonine – a metabolite of cocaine – following an in-competition test on 14 July 2017. Mr Chase 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: “As an experienced rugby league player who has represented both New Zealand Maori and England, as well as Super League clubs, Castleford Tigers and Salford Red Devils, Rangi Chase has tarnished his career with this sanction. His two-year ban serves as a stark warning to athletes about the very real consequences of taking recreational drugs whilst competing in sport.”

The player is banned from all sport from 14 July 2017 until midnight on 13 July 2019. The full written decision can be found under current rule violations.

• This media release was originally published by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) on 23 November 2017. To access the original, please click here.