The National Rugby League has today provisionally suspended Penrith Panthers player Brent Naden under the NRL’s Anti-Doping Policy. The mandatory Provisional Suspension Notice asserts that Mr Naden returned a positive A-sample for metabolites of cocaine following a test conducted by Sport Integrity Australia after the Grand Final match on 25 October 2020.  Cocaine is prohibited In-Competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the NRL’s Anti-Doping Policy.

Mr Naden is prohibited from participating in any WADA compliant sport, including rugby league, while the provisional suspension is in place. Under the Anti-Doping Policy, Mr Naden now has the opportunity to have his B-sample analysed. The NRL has spoken with Mr Naden and advised him of the support services available to him.

• This media release was published by Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) on 1 December 2020. Click here for the original.