Rugby Football Union (RFU) v Leigh Dearden

A decision in the case of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) v Leigh Dearden has been published by the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP). 

On 23 March 2019 Leigh Dearden, a player registered with Lincoln RFC and the RFU, provided a urine sample.  The urine sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings for Drostanolone and a metabolite, 2 metabolites of Oxymetholone, and cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine.  Mr Dearden was subsequently charged with a breach of World Rugby Regulation 21.2.1 for the Presence of Prohibited Substances or their Metabolites or Markers on 31 May 2019.

Mr Dearden did not dispute the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) and the NADP Tribunal, consisting of Christopher Quinlan QC, Blondel Thompson and Professor Dorian Haskard imposed a period of ineligibility of 4 years, running from 31 May 2019 until midnight on 30 May 2023.

A copy of the full decision can be accessed via the related links tab on the right-hand side.

The National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) is the United Kingdom’s independent tribunal responsible for adjudicating anti-doping disputes in sport. It is operated by Sport Resolutions and is entirely independent of UK Anti-Doping who is responsible for investigating, charging and prosecuting cases before the NADP.