by Kingseyi Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:44 pmFormer South African rugby international
Ashley Johnson said he was horrified to
discover he had taken a banned
substance, after receiving a six-month
ban on Thursday.
The 32-year-old Wasps star — capped three
times by the Springboks — had the ban
backdated to February 7, making him eligible to
play again from August 6 2018, as the
independent panel deemed he had not acted
with intent.
Johnson, who can play at either hooker or in the
back row and has been with Wasps since 2012,
can resume training immediately.
“Johnson tested positive for the presence of a
specified substance, hydrochlorothiazide (S5
Diuretics and Masking Agents), following an out-
of-competition test at the Premiership club,”
read the panel’s findings.
“The South African’s urine sample returned an
Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) after being
tested on 7 February 2018.
“The 32-year-old claimed the AAF was the
result of mistakenly consuming his wife’s
dietary supplement – a fat burner called “The
Secret” – which she purchased from South
Africa.
“The product was tested by both the player and
the RFU for hydrochlorothiazide, which was not
listed in the product’s ingredients, and on both
occasions it returned a positive result.
“The independent panel accepted that the
prohibited substance was not ingested
intentionally.”
Stephen Watkins, the Anti-Doping and Illicit
Drugs Programme Manager for the Rugby
Football Union (RFU), said Johnson should have
been more responsible about finding out what
the ingredients were in the product.
“Ashley Johnson was careless in his failure to
acknowledge his responsibilities as a rugby
player and ensure he was dutiful in checking
what he consumed,” he said.
“The risk of contamination in supplements is
significant to all players and therefore we advise
that there is no guarantee that a supplement is
free from prohibited substances.”
Johnson, who signed a contract extension with
Wasps last November, said this would make him
be far more attentive in the future.
“I was horrified when I got the test results and
once we tracked back and worked out I had
inadvertently taken the wrong tablet,” said
Johnson.
“I completely accept that I am responsible for
everything in my body. Drug use is not
something I would ever condone, and from now
on I will be extra vigilant at all times.”
AFP
Ashley Johnson said he was horrified to
discover he had taken a banned
substance, after receiving a six-month
ban on Thursday.
The 32-year-old Wasps star — capped three
times by the Springboks — had the ban
backdated to February 7, making him eligible to
play again from August 6 2018, as the
independent panel deemed he had not acted
with intent.
Johnson, who can play at either hooker or in the
back row and has been with Wasps since 2012,
can resume training immediately.
“Johnson tested positive for the presence of a
specified substance, hydrochlorothiazide (S5
Diuretics and Masking Agents), following an out-
of-competition test at the Premiership club,”
read the panel’s findings.
“The South African’s urine sample returned an
Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) after being
tested on 7 February 2018.
“The 32-year-old claimed the AAF was the
result of mistakenly consuming his wife’s
dietary supplement – a fat burner called “The
Secret” – which she purchased from South
Africa.
“The product was tested by both the player and
the RFU for hydrochlorothiazide, which was not
listed in the product’s ingredients, and on both
occasions it returned a positive result.
“The independent panel accepted that the
prohibited substance was not ingested
intentionally.”
Stephen Watkins, the Anti-Doping and Illicit
Drugs Programme Manager for the Rugby
Football Union (RFU), said Johnson should have
been more responsible about finding out what
the ingredients were in the product.
“Ashley Johnson was careless in his failure to
acknowledge his responsibilities as a rugby
player and ensure he was dutiful in checking
what he consumed,” he said.
“The risk of contamination in supplements is
significant to all players and therefore we advise
that there is no guarantee that a supplement is
free from prohibited substances.”
Johnson, who signed a contract extension with
Wasps last November, said this would make him
be far more attentive in the future.
“I was horrified when I got the test results and
once we tracked back and worked out I had
inadvertently taken the wrong tablet,” said
Johnson.
“I completely accept that I am responsible for
everything in my body. Drug use is not
something I would ever condone, and from now
on I will be extra vigilant at all times.”
AFP
