NSW rugby league player Troy Errington banned for two years
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today acknowledged the decision of the Leagues Anti-Doping Tribunal to impose a two-year sporting ban on Sydney Shield rugby league player Troy Errington for the presence of prohibited substances.
The substances 1-Phenylbutan-2-amine and N,alpha-diethyl-benzeneethanamine were detected in a sample ASADA collected in-competition from Mr Errington at a Sydney Shield match on 28 July 2012.
The ban imposed on Mr Errington by the Leagues Anti-Doping Tribunal was backdated to commence on the date of his provisional suspension. Therefore, he is ineligible to participate as an athlete or support person, in any sport that has adopted a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) compliant anti-doping policy until 25 August 2014.
While 1-Phenylbutan-2-amine and N,alpha-diethyl-benzeneethanamine are not specifically named on WADA’s 2012 Prohibited List, they have similar chemical and biological effects to amphetamines. As a result, they are classed as Category 6b stimulants on the List and are prohibited in competition.
Generally, stimulants act directly on the central nervous system to speed up parts of the brain and body. They can increase alertness and reduce fatigue in athletes.
This matter serves as a timely reminder for athletes to carefully consider their use of supplements as the contents can vary from batch to batch and may intentionally or unintentionally contain prohibited substances.
Athletes are responsible for any substance found in their body and there have been cases where both Australian and international athletes have been sanctioned after they have used supplements that they thought were okay, but which were actually contaminated with prohibited substances.
Any athletes unaware of their responsibilities are encouraged to seek additional information online at ASADA’s website www.asada.gov.au
