Welsh Rugby Union player Lance Randall has been suspended from all sport for a period of two years following a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV). UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected a urine Sample from Mr Randall In-Competition on 26 October 2019, following a match between Ebbw Vale RFC v Llanelli RFC. Analysis of Mr Randall’s A Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine.

UKAD issued Mr Randall with a Notice of Charge and a Provisional Suspension on 22 November 2019. In admitting the ADRV, Mr Randall explained that the AAF was a result of Out-of-Competition ingestion of cocaine in a context unrelated to sport performance. Cocaine is listed under section S6(a) Non-Specified Stimulants of the WADA 2019 Prohibited List, which states that the substance is banned In-Competition only.

Mr Randall was charged with violating Anti-Doping Rule Article 2.1 – “Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample”.  Stacey Cross, UKAD Deputy Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs said: “Unfortunately, we continue to see cases like Mr Randall’s. Cocaine is not banned when used recreationally and Out-of-Competition.

“However, it can stay in the body for some time after use. Therefore, athletes need to be aware that if they participate in sport after using cocaine, they could be tested and may face a ban of up to four years, depending on when it was taken. In Mr Randall’s case, an independent expert considered Mr Randall’s account of Out-of-Competition cocaine use and concluded that the AAF accorded with that explanation, therefore a two-year ban applies.”

Considering Mr Randall’s timely admission, the two-year period of Ineligibility started on 26 October 2019 and will expire at midnight on 25 October 2021. See the full decision here.

• This media release was published by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) on 3 July 2020. Click here for the original.