Police officers in rugby drugs inquiry

The WRU says Penygraig will be subject to disciplinary procedures

Read this story in Welsh

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.

An inquiry involving the club - which has two more police officers among its players - was launched by the Welsh Rugby Union after 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 force 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.

The club has declined to comment

A team from regulatory body UK Sport was asked by the WRU to carry out 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.

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.

David Moffett, chief executive of the WRU, described it as a very serious situation.

"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," he said.

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.