Player banned for four years for anti-doping rule violation
NEWS: Amateur rugby player Ralph Rainbow has been banned from all sport for four years, from September 30 2020, until September 29, 2024, following a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
On July 12, 2018, UK Border Force seized a package en route to Rainbow’s home address which contained items used in the process of injecting Human Growth Hormone.
Human Growth Hormone is a prohibited substance in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) Prohibited List 2018.
Rainbow admitted, in interview with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) on January 16, 2020, that he attempted to purchase a prohibited substance to enable himself to continue playing rugby.
Rainbow was charged by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) with two violations – Possession (by purchase) and Use or Attempted Use. The case was referred to the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) by the RFU for determination. Rainbow did not contest the charges.
RFU Anti-Doping and Illicit Drugs Programme Manager Stephen Watkins said: “All rugby players are subject to the anti-doping rules which are in place to protect players and the integrity of our sport.”
