The Cronulla Sharks were handed a $1 million fine by the NRL on Tuesday for the club’s part in a 2011 doping scandal, the largest sum allowed under the league’s anti-doping rules.
The NRL’s Integrity Unit ensured coach Shane Flanagan wouldn’t escape punishment, suspending him for a year for his role in the Sharks use of supplements.
Flanagan and other high ranking Cronulla staff were deemed to have failed to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for the playing group.
Former strength and conditioning coach Trent Elkin also had his registration cancelled for exposing “players to possible breaches of the NRL Anti-Doping Rules” and “to significant potential risks to health”.
Both penalties, the $1 million fine and Flanagan’s suspension, will likely be reduced. The club could see $400,000 of the fine suspended while Flanagan’s one-year ban will likely be cut to nine months when he demonstrates he has completed further unspecified education and training
“It is proposed that his NRL registration be suspended for 12 months” NRL chief executive Dave Smith said of the Cronulla decision at Tuesday’s press conference.
“It is also proposed that this period may be shortened to nine months if he successfully completes further education and training and demonstrates to the satisfaction of the NRL that he is familiar with and understands his obligations as head coach.”
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority is conducting a separate investigation into the Sharks’ use of supplements during the 2011 season, with the governing body handing down player infraction notices a distinct possibility.
Sports Medicine Australia spokesman Dr Peter Larkins discussed recently the potential legal backlash could that occur.
“There will be legal ramifications, I would have thought, from player managers who come in and bring action against the club for inappropriate governance of those players, ” he said.
“If you’re on a half-a-million contract and you’re suspended from playing and you can prove that the club somehow put you in that position by its actions, then you’d take actions against the club, I would think. I think it will be messy.”
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