Ben Barba

[josie andrews]

Ben Barba: St Helens full-back loses appeal against 12-match drugs ban


Ben Barba will serve the remainder of a 12-game drugs ban imposed by Australia's NRL after Super League club St Helens lost their appeal.

An independent panel upheld the decision to suspend Barba at Wednesday's operational rules tribunal.

The 28-year-old full-back, who tested positive for cocaine while still a Cronulla player last year, will not be eligible to play until late August.

Barba joined Saints on 24 May after a stint playing rugby union in France.

His cross-code move to France proved a contentious one, as it meant he escaped being sanctioned because the ban only applied to rugby league.

On Barba's return to rugby league with Saints, the RFL - who govern the Super League - sought clarity from the NRL about whether the ban was applicable outside the southern hemisphere competition.

St Helens signed Barba, who was the NRL's player of the year in 2012 and is contracted until 2019, with knowledge of his possible ban, and chairman Eamonn McManus last week criticised the time taken for their appeal to be heard.

He has already served five matches of his 12-game ban and will be available for selection as of Monday, 28 August.


http://bbc.in/2s2QwXJ

[TrueBlueWarrior]

Correct decision!

[fozzieskem]

Correct decision!

Agreed,Saints knew about the ban when they went after the lad so why did they even try appeal it?

[TrueBlueWarrior]

Correct decision!

Agreed,Saints knew about the ban when they went after the lad so why did they even try appeal it?

Agreed, in my opinion they are lucky it's not more now!

[Wigan_forever1985]

Hasn't Hock got grounds for compensation then?

He was banned for two years for the same offence.

I'm happy to be guided on this, as I don't know the full facts, but on the face of things, Hock was more harshly treated than Barba wasn't he?

think it all hinges on Hock tested positive during the season, BB's was in the off-season

[Warrior1872]

It has nothing to do with it being during the season it is down to the individual governing bodies.

[thegimble]

Hasn't Hock got grounds for compensation then?

He was banned for two years for the same offence.

I'm happy to be guided on this, as I don't know the full facts, but on the face of things, Hock was more harshly treated than Barba wasn't he?

think it all hinges on Hock tested positive during the season, BB's was in the off-season

So a player can do recreational drugs off season and get a lesser ban. That is a joke. NRL are just like the major sports protecting the worst cheats as much as possible.

[Panchitta Marra]

Barba will play for Sintellins from end of August till end of this season and get a Segayaro exit visa on his return to the NRL.

[morley pie eater]

I thought McManus seemed a relatively decent bloke. How quickly people ditch any principles in favour of self-interest!

[pedro]

Hasn't Hock got grounds for compensation then?

He was banned for two years for the same offence.

I'm happy to be guided on this, as I don't know the full facts, but on the face of things, Hock was more harshly treated than Barba wasn't he?

think it all hinges on Hock tested positive during the season, BB's was in the off-season

So a player can do recreational drugs off season and get a lesser ban. That is a joke. NRL are just like the major sports protecting the worst cheats as much as possible.

its because they arent signed upto WADA like we are \RU and football have lighter bans also for the same reason.