Hunt gets six weeks for cocaine bust
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The Australian Rugby Union has slapped a ban on Karmichael Hunt after he pleaded guilty on cocaine charges.
As a result, the ARU and Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) suspended Hunt for six weeks and fined him AU$30,000.
Hunt has accepted these penalties despite being contracted to another code during the time in question.
As such, the ARU, QRU and the Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) have determined that in accordance with the ARU’s Illicit Drugs Policy, he will also undergo a drug treatment and rehabilitation program and will be placed on a monitored and targeted drug testing program.
As Hunt has already been made unavailable for selection for two weeks, he will return to competitive Rugby in Round Eight of the Super Rugby season.
It means the former NRL and AFL star will be able to reignite his multi-million dollar Super Rugby career in the Reds' clash with the Rebels in Melbourne on April 3.
During the period Thursday March 5 to Sunday March 22 he will continue to train at the Reds Ballymore facility at times when the main Reds squad are not training there.
He will then integrate within Reds team training sessions from Monday March 23 in advance of the Reds’ Round Eight game against the Rebels in Melbourne.
It's as good a result as Hunt could have hoped for after he was last month served with a notice to appear in court on drug charges by Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission.
During an investigation into a cocaine trafficking syndicate operating throughout south-east Queensland, the Commission discovered Hunt had bought the drug on four separate occasions from September 1 to October 3 last year.
Police prosecutor Kristy Johnson said text messages and phone calls between Hunt and alleged syndicate kingpin John Touma had revealed the footballer had three times bought a 3.5 gram bag for AU$1100 each, and then a 2 gram quantity on a fourth occasion for an unspecified price.
Barrister Alastair McDougall said the charges had been deeply embarrassing for the father of two, but his client had not shied away from taking ownership of his troubles.
He said Hunt had made "poor choices" which he would now have to live with.
"This was, in his own words, a misguided post-season celebration," McDougall said.
"His two young daughters, with a third on the way, must grow up knowing their father has broken the law."
Hunt, whose mother exited the courtroom in tears, said the past two weeks had been harrowing for him and his family and he was deeply relieved to have it resolved.
ARU CEO Bill Pulver said: “We are extremely disappointed in Karmichael’s actions as illicit substances have no place in Rugby.
"However we acknowledge that he is sincerely remorseful and has cooperated with the investigation and our integrity enquiries throughout this process. "Karmichael has also accepted the penalty and consequences of his actions and understands the requirements of a professional athlete and the expectations of our code.”
QRU CEO Jim Carmichael said: “Each individual will have their own perspective and opinion on this issue and this specific case based on their personal life experience.
"In arriving at these penalties we have all been acutely mindful of our responsibilities to sport and the wider community, as well as the long-term interests of the game, our stakeholders and our fans.
“However, major professional sport in Australia also regards the use of illicit substances as a welfare issue in the first instance.
"Karmichael has shown significant contrition and remorse throughout this process and Rugby is now applying the rationale in its Illicit Drugs Policy to ensure Karmichael receives the appropriate education and rehabilitation in advance of a return to the field.
“We have also decided that in the circumstances, Karmichael will stand down as a vice-captain of the Reds.
"The Reds have a significant leadership group to offer support to our captain James Slipper.”
Karmichael Hunt said: “I made a terrible mistake last year and have no one but myself to blame for this situation.
"I am genuinely sorry for the distress I have caused my family, friends, team mates, Reds members, sponsors, fans and the wider Rugby and sporting community in Queensland and beyond.
“I intend to work through the education and rehabilitation program and will return to the game in a way that sends a clear message to sports fans of all ages that the use of illicit substances has no place in sport.
"I am grateful for the support I have received from Queensland Rugby over the past few weeks and intend to repay their loyalty through my future actions on and off the field.”
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