Sandor Earl has become the scapegoat of ASADA’s peptide investigation with the Anti-Doping Tribunal handing down a backdated four year suspension for the winger which means the former Canberra, Penrith and Sydney Roosters flyer is banned until the 29th of August 2017.

NRL Head of Integrity Nick Weeks made a brief statement.

“The NRL is committed to eliminating performance enhancing drugs. We want our game to provide a fair and safe environment for players and that means taking all reasonable steps to eradicate performance enhancing drugs from rugby league.”

Cronulla Sharks players were given three week suspensions, backdated from twelve months, for their involvement in 2011. Also working in the Sharks players favour is the fact that they argued they were unaware they were being injected with the illegal drugs while Earl admitted to a series of crimes.

Earl was found guilty of:
• use of CJC-1295 (eight violations);
• possession of CJC-1295;
• trafficking in Somatropin;
• trafficking in Clenbuterol;
• attempted trafficking in SARMS;
• attempted trafficking in testosterone

“Any athlete considering the use of substances in rehabilitation treatment is ultimately responsible for what goes into their body,” ASADA Chief Ben McDevitt said.

“So it is extremely important for athletes to take every precaution necessary to ensure they do not breach the anti-doping rules.

“Trafficking is a serious violation under the World Anti-Doping Code and the penalty for such a violation can be as severe as a lifetime ban from sport. Simply transporting a prohibited substance can constitute a breach of the anti-doping rules for trafficking.

“If you are going to seek a reduction in an anti-doping sanction by providing ‘Substantial Assistance’, you must be willing to be entirely truthful, full and frank in relation to your own and other people’s violations.”

Former Roosters team-mate Martin Kennedy will go before the Anti-Doping Tribunal in November with the forward currently serving a suspension for breaking anti-doping policies for possession and attempted use of banned substances.

Meanwhile social media has given their say on the decision.

 
@RLW_Mole
“Moley feeling for @sandorearl…4 year ban very harsh for the ONE bloke who came out and told the truth about drugs.”

@Danny_Weidler
“Did @sandorearl benefit in any way from cooperating with ASADA investigators?”

@Tuxy81
“Have to feel sorry for Sandor Earl. Always found him a really nice guy. Those who didn’t cooperate got off virtually scot free. #nrl

@MF_____
“Long sentence. Probable scapegoat. Club needs to answer for some? But alas, drug cheats need firm discouragement”.

@M_B_D_S
“Earl’s ban unfair compared to Sharks wrist slap. Only consolation, he is more likely than Sharks to win a title in next 4 yrs.”

@antonposa
“considering he was the fall guy for a LOT of similar indiscretions, I think it’s a joke. He’s done his time already imo.”

@scottybailey313
“@sandorearl cops 93 more games than Sharks players. Meanwhile the man responsible for all this, Dank, still walks free. Makes sense. #NRL”

@ReadingThePlay
“I find it utterly disgraceful that Sandor Earl has been hung out to try as he has. The injustice compared to other is staggering.”

Earl has been living in exile in Thailand since being booted from the NRL.

@woodward_curtis