Rugby Union player Hadfield banned for two years
Press Release
14th January 2020
Rugby Union player Henry Hadfield has been suspended from all sport for a period of two years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV)
Mr Hadfield provided a urine Sample Out-of-Competition on 17 April 2019. Analysis of Mr Hadfield’s Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for higenamine and its metabolite coclaurine. Higenamine is listed under section S3 (Beta-2 Agonists, including all optical isomers) of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2019 Prohibited List. It is a Specified substance and is prohibited at all times.
Mr Hadfield was charged with violating World Rugby Anti-Doping Regulation 21.2.1 - "Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in a Player’s Sample”.
Mr Hadfield admitted taking supplements, including one called ‘Black Magic BZRK’, and upon checking the label on the container, discovered that higenamine was listed as an ingredient. The charge was referred to the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) for determination of the period of Ineligibility to be imposed on Mr Hadfield. The NADP tribunal reviewed the case and agreed with the Rugby Football Union’s submission to impose a two-year ban.
UK Anti Doping’s Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead said: “Once again, an Athlete has been banned from sport because of a prohibited substance found in a supplement. In Mr Hadfield’s case, no steps were taken before receiving the charge to check whether the supplement he was using contained a Prohibited Substance, resulting in Mr Hadfield falling foul of anti-doping regulations.
“It’s important for Athletes at all levels to, where possible, take a food-first approach to nutrition and then if they still feel they require supplements, to seek advice from a dietician or medical professional.
“All supplements should be double checked on Informed Sport prior to use, but it’s important to note this only provides risk minimisation, it is not a guarantee that the product is free from Prohibited Substances. If in any doubt, it is simply not worth the risk.”
The period of Ineligibility commenced on 17 April 2019 and will end on 16 April 2021 inclusive.
Henry_Hadfield_issued_decision.pdf
