Toulon’s England international flanker Steffon Armitage has tested positive for a product on the World Doping Agency’s banned list, albeit one which could be construed as having therapeutic qualities.
rugbyweek
Rugbyrama, the sports website of French daily Midi Olympique, reported that Armitage is understood to have tested for Doliprane codeine – a simple painkiller, in this case for back pain.
The test came following Toulon June 9 Top 14 final loss to Toulouse at Stade de France.
The product can be taken with written medical authorisation as a therapeutic treatment but in Armitage’s case such authorisation was not forthcoming, according to the report, emanating from sources at Midi Olympique whose next edition appears Friday.
Armitage is provisionally suspended prior to an appearance before the French Rugby Federation’s anti-doping commission on August 21, the report added.
However, a statement released by Toulon stated that, “Steffon Armitage has absolutely not taken any illegal substances to improve performance but only a drug strictly authorized by the AFLD and well known to all.”
Armitage was said to be suffering from back pain and was administered anti-inflammatory as well as paracetamol codeine (2-4 tablets / day) and Toulon say that all medications are approved by the AFLD.
Toulon added that, “The presence of morphine in urine of Steffon Armitage is explained by the fact that 10% of this authorized drug (paracetamol codeine) naturally turns into morphine.”
Twat!
ANY Rugby player who takes anything that contains any substance that is on the banned list deserves a ban, and I include Chiliboy and Bjorn Basson in that statement.
Ignorance is no excuse, and even worse is that EVERY high profile Rugby player is basically under the direct control of medical staff.
Ah WTF, just brush it under the table like the Bok management did. Rugby players don’t need to be clever enough to think do they?
You can’t ban half decent quota players are you mad! Its like sending cricketers that rape to jail!
1 @ Scrumdown:
Didn’t see the mention of the golden boy in that list, can’t remember the detail and how long he served if he served at all, what’s good for the Goose (if you excuse the pun)…
What about Parnell. Converted to Islam then went doping in India. Clearly he is one of those we want to doante to England
*donate
3 @ Bullscot:
The Goose…. served a few months if memory serves me correctly, basically for the same substance as Chilliboy.
And while I’m on my high horse, I was under the impression, (and I know for a fact that in JHB Club Rugby),if you are serving a suspension for any discipline related offence (foul play) you are not permitted to interact in ANY RUGBY ACTIVITIES WHATSOEVER.
So how the fukc did the Reds get it right to have Surfer Dude carrying the water on and off the field against the Sharks.
Surely that is in direct contradiction to the banning?
Not that it hepled the prats, but surely a rule is a rule?
In a sport administered by REAL PEOPLE I would expect a governing body like SARU to do something about it, but IMO there are very few Humans involved in our National Body at the highest level!
@ scrumdown
READ THE STORY BEFORE COMMENTING
The CLUB administered the medication to him, can you blame him for thinking a MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL hired by the club would maybe do their job right in submitting the relevant paperwork, Steffon should have no case to answer, this is an ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR of SOMEONE ELSE, if your employer doesn’t process your working hours should you forefit your pay? Didn’t think so
Slightly different scenario from the other players you mentioned, open your eyes before your mouth
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