Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges suspension of NRL player for four years

Sport Integrity Australia has acknowledged the decision of the NRL Anti-Doping Tribunal to impose a four year sanction in relation to Cronulla Sharks player, Bronson Xerri.

The Anti-Doping Tribunal, chaired by the Honourable Ian Callinan AC QC with panellists Dr Sharron Flahive and Mr Sean Garlick, found that  Xerri breached the NRL’s Anti-Doping Policy in November 2019 when he tested positive to the presence of exogenous Testosterone, and its metabolites Androsterone, Etiocholanolone and 5b-androstane-3a, 17b-diol.

The Tribunal found that Xerri intentionally took testosterone in late 2019 knowing that the substance was either banned or that there was a serious risk that it was banned. The Tribunal also found that Xerri’s actions were, on his own evidence, at best grossly negligent. The sanction imposed is the presumptive four-year ban for the use of serious performance enhancing substances.

During the 2019 NRL season, 20-year-old Xerri emerged as one of the game's best up and coming outside backs after scoring 13 tries from 22 appearances for the Sharks that year.

Xerri hasn't played in the NRL since the 2019 season following his positive test.  Xerri’s suspension is taken to have commenced on the date of his test on 25th November 2019 and will expire on 25th November 2023.

The NRL will continue to offer Xerri wellbeing support.

Sport Integrity Australia Chief Executive David Sharpe says the agency is “committed to ensuring that there is a level playing field. Clean athletes are at the forefront of our efforts to keep the competition clean and we will always fight to uphold the integrity of sports and our competitions.”