Rugby union player receives three-year ban for Anti-Doping Rule Violations
Rugby union player James Apperley has received a three-year ban from sport following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Use and Possession of Prohibited Substances.
In October 2022, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) received information through its Protect Your Sport reporting service that Mr Apperley had used Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) in July of that year. SARMs are known to mimic testosterone by promoting muscle growth, and are prohibited in sport at all times.
UKAD commenced an investigation, which included an interview with the player in January 2023 where he admitted to the online purchase and Use of the Prohibited Substances Testolone (RAD-140) and Ligandrol (LGD-4033).
On conclusion of the investigation, UKAD notified Mr Apperley that he may have committed the ADRVs of Use and Possession of Prohibited Substances, and provisionally suspended him. In response, Mr Apperley admitted the ADRVs.
Subsequently, Mr Apperley was charged by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) with ADRVs, which he accepted within 20 days of the Charge Letter. Mr Apperley was therefore able to reduce the asserted period of Ineligibility from four years to three years.
Mr Apperley’s period of Ineligibility from sport commenced on 25 January 2023, and will expire on 24 January 2026.
Technical terms and more information
Please note, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, capitalised terms used in this announcement have the meaning given to them in the UK Anti-Doping Rules and/or World Anti-Doping Code.
Today’s announcement is made in accordance with the applicable anti-doping rules, following the expiry of appeal rights for UKAD, the Athlete, and the applicable National Governing Body and/or International Federation.
