Four years is the duration of the ban imposed on Francis Burke, player and coach for the Sunshine Coast Stingrays, by the Australian Rugby Union due to his possession and attempted trafficking of growth hormone releasing peptide-6.
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) has confirmed this ban after customs in Sydney flagged a suspect package on November 28, 2010.
After a thorough investigation carried out by ASADA, the case was brought to the attention of the ARU as a possible breach of its anti-doping regulations.
Mr. Burke’s ban, enforced by the ARU, is backdated to align with the beginning of his provisional suspension.
Consequently, until January 25, 2016, he is barred from participating as either an athlete or support person in any sports governed by a World Anti-Doping Agency compliant anti-doping policy.
by Buford Balony
