Rugby union player, Craig Russell banned for two years

Press Release

4th July 2019

Scottish rugby union player, Craig Russell, of Gala RFC, has been suspended from all sport for a period of two years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).

Mr Russell tested positive for the presence of the prohibited substance clomiphene following an in-competition test, during a match between Gala RFC and Edinburgh Academical Football Club on 14 October 2017.

Clomiphene is listed under section 4.3 of the WADA 2017 Prohibited List as an anti-estrogenic modulator. It is a Specified Substance, prohibited at all times.

Mr Russell was charged with an ADRV pursuant to Article 21.2.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules – “Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample”.

UKAD’s Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead, said: “It’s vital that all athletes at all levels of sport are aware of the rules and their responsibilities surrounding anti-doping.

“All athletes must adhere to the principal of strict liability and, should they fail to comply, risk a ban from all sport of up to four years.”

The period of ineligibility shall apply from the date of sample collection (14 October 2017) until midnight on 13 October 2019.

To read the full judgement, please click here.

180221_-_UKAD_v_Russell_-_Consent_Order_Redacted.pdf