Police officers in rugby drugs inquiry

The WRU says Penygraig will be subject to disciplinary procedures

A police officer who is chairman of a south Wales rugby club has been moved to a temporary post while the club is investigated after players refused a drugs test.

Investigations are also being carried out into two other officers from the same force who play for the club.

The Welsh Rugby Union has launched an investigation into a "blanket refusal" by Penygraig RFC players to take the tests.

South Wales Police have confirmed that two of the players are serving police officers, as is the club's chairman, Neil Roper.

A police spokesperson said : "Following a decision by the WRU to undertake drugs testing at Penygraig rugby club, a South Wales Police officer has been moved to a temporary post within the division pending the final outcome of the WRU inquiry."

The statement added that Mr Roper's position would be reviewed in line with any findings.

All 22 players face the threat of being banned from the game for at least two years because of the refusal.

Management at Penygraig - which is currently top of Division Three East - have declined to comment on the team's refusal to take the tests after they won the Silver Ball Cup against Pontypridd at Llanharan, south Wales, last Wednesday.

David Moffett says illegal drugs must play no part in rugby

A team from regulatory body UK Sport was asked by the WRU to carry out the tests. The WRU said it had asked for the tests after it received information from the police.

But a UK Sport spokesperson said there had been a "blanket refusal" by the Penygraig players to take the tests, and officials left without taking any samples.

The WRU said the club and its players would now be the subject of disciplinary procedures. Players can be banned for two years for refusing to take a test.

UK Sport, which carries out drug testing for the ruling bodies of a number of sports, said the "collective actions" of the Penygraig club were a breach of rugby regulations.

It said refusal to submit to a test was an offence, and officials were drawing up a report.

The club has declined to comment

Penygraig, who were already champions of Division Three East, beat Pontypridd to lift the cup as well.

David Moffett, chief executive of the WRU, attended the game with other officials of the union.

'Serious situation'

He described it as a very serious situation. He said the WRU had received information from the police and felt it appropriate to ask UK Sport to invite the whole of the Penygraig team to undertake tests.

"The WRU takes very seriously its obligations to rugby union, and sport as a whole, in ensuring that the use of illegal drugs plays no part in the game," said Mr Moffett.

Mr Moffett has informed the chairman of the WRU national league management committee.

The union said the club and its players would now be be subject to "the normal disciplinary procedures in these cases".

Concerns

The WRU also said the matter was being reviewed collectively by the WRU, Sports Council for Wales and South Wales Police, who have forged a working partnership to help fight the threat of drug abuse in sport.

Police confirmed on Friday they had received allegations about the use of performance-enhancing drugs at the Penygraig club.

The WRU is in partnership to fight illegal drug use

A spokesman said police shared their concerns with the WRU, who decided to carry out drug-testing at the game.

"We are aware that the Penygraig rugby club chose not to undertake those tests and it is a matter for the WRU to determine what action, if any, it will now take," he said.

Police confirmed that two serving police officers played for Penygraig, but added :"We are not aware of any information that these two officers were involved in taking drugs.

"Their role in not taking drug tests is something for the WRU to investigate."

Meirion Harrison, team manager at Penygraig, said he was not prepared to comment about the WRU investigation. He said the club would be meeting to discuss it.