The NRL has suspended former Shark Bronson Xerri for four-years for drug use

The NRL has officially suspended former Cronulla player Bronson Xerri for four years for steroid-use.

After a 14-month wait the NRL anti-doping tribunal handed Xerri the longest possible suspension under the WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) code.

In a statement on Tuesday the league confirmed Xerri’s suspension after he was found to have intentionally taken banned substances after testing positive in 2019.

He had been provisionally suspended since then and his ban, which was backdated to the date of his failed test, will expire on 25 November 2023.

“The National Rugby League (NRL) Anti-Doping Tribunal has suspended Cronulla Sharks player Bronson Xerri for 4 years,” the statement said.

“The Anti-Doping Tribunal, chaired by the Honourable Ian Callinan AC QC with panellists Dr Sharron Flahive and Mr Sean Garlick, found that Mr Xerri breached the NRL’s Anti-Doping Policy in November 2019 when he tested positive to the presence of exogenous Testosterone, and its metabolites Androsterone, Etiocholanolone and 5b-androstane-3a, 17b-diol.

#NRL suspends Bronson Xerri for four years, backdated.

This means he will be eligible to train and play again after 25 November 2023.

“The Tribunal found that Mr Xerri intentionally took testosterone in late 2019 knowing that the substance was either banned or that there was a serious risk that it was banned. The Tribunal also found that Mr Xerri’s actions were, on his own evidence, at best grossly negligent. The sanction imposed is the presumptive 4-year ban for the use of serious performance enhancing substances.

“Mr Xerri’s suspension is taken to have commenced on the date of his test on 25 November 2019 and will expire on 25 November 2023.

“The NRL will continue to offer Mr Xerri wellbeing support.”

Xerri, 20, had made several attempts to escape the maximum ban by pleading his defence before the NRL anti-doping tribunal.

But all failed and he is now ineligible to compete in any professional sport until November 2023.

He will now be officially taken off the Sharks squad-list leaving Cronulla with 28 out of a possible 30 contracted players for the 2021 season.

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