Scottish rugby union player, Craig Russell, of Gala RFC, has been suspended from all sport for a period of two years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV). Mr Russell tested positive for the presence of the prohibited substance clomiphene following an in-competition test, during a match between Gala RFC and Edinburgh Academical Football Club on 14 October 2017.

Clomiphene is listed under section 4.3 of the WADA 2017 Prohibited List as an anti-estrogenic modulator. It is a Specified Substance, prohibited at all times. Mr Russell was charged with an ADRV pursuant to Article 21.2.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules – “Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample”.

UKAD’s Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead, said: “It’s vital that all athletes at all levels of sport are aware of the rules and their responsibilities surrounding anti-doping. All athletes must adhere to the principal of strict liability and, should they fail to comply, risk a ban from all sport of up to four years.” The period of ineligibility shall apply from the date of sample collection (14 October 2017) until midnight on 13 October 2019.

• This media release was published by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) on 3 July 2019. Click here for the original, and click here to download the full decision.