Former ASADA chairman Richard Ings says it’s entirely appropriate that Cronulla be allowed to play in the NRL finals despite being at the centre of an ongoing doping investigation.
While the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority has concluded interviews with Sharks’ players, it is yet to finalise its probe into the club’s 2011 supplements program.
Unlike AFL club Essendon, Cronulla – who have not been the subject of any adverse findings – will be allowed to participate in this year’s finals after finishing the season in fifth spot.
Their campaign kicks off on Saturday against North Queensland at Allianz Stadium.
“I think it’s entirely appropriate that clubs and players continue business as normal until – and unless – ASADA comes to a point of finding that players or clubs have a serious case to answer for the possible breach of anti-doping rules,” Ings told AAP on Thursday.
“We’re not at that point yet in this process.
“Therefore clubs are innocent; players are innocent. They should be allowed to play through the finals series.”
Ings said it was incumbent upon ASADA to decide whether or not doping offences had been committed at the Sharks.
“And that question remains unanswered as of today,” he said.
“There’s a cloud hanging over the club, there’s a cloud hanging over the players at the club and there’s a cloud hanging over the NRL.
“The NRL has invested its faith in ASADA to answer those questions one way or another.
“If doping offences are uncovered by the authority, then there were rules to follow and consequences which may be imposed.”