Andrew Acton Suspension

Andrew Acton of Marr Rugby Football Club has been suspended from all sport for a period of three years and nine months following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).

Mr Acton tested positive for the presence of prohibited substance stanozolol-N-glucuronide, a metabolite of stanozolol, during an out-of-competition test at a Marr RFC training session on 10 August 2017.

Stanozolol was named on the 2017 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List and is banned at all times.

Mr Acton admitted to the ADRV in violation of World Rugby Anti-Doping Regulation 21.2.1. – “Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in a Player’s Sample.”

Scottish Rugby’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr James Robson said: “At Scottish Rugby we take a very strong line on anti-doping, our position is that of UK Anti-Doping and WADA – 100% ME – it’s the athlete’s responsibility to ensure clean, fair sport at all times.

“We have a robust process in place for those who wish to by-pass the anti-doping rules, this is an intelligence led system which has resulted in this particular case in finding a drugs violator. We are here to provide an educational resource and to ensure the rules are adhered to.

“There is no room in rugby for anti-doping cheats.”

Andrew Acton is the fourth rugby union player in Scotland to be sanctioned since 2010. Over the past three seasons over 800 tests have been carried out at all levels of the game both in and out of competition.

In a statement Scottish Rugby said: “Scottish Rugby is fully committed to the fight against doping to protect the integrity of the game.

“As a governing body, we have an extensive education programme for players, at all levels, on the consequences of taking banned substances, from both a health and sporting perspective.

“This season Scottish Rugby has upweighted its activity with UK Anti-Doping to generate more intelligence led tests in and out of competition, at all levels of the game.

“We welcome Andrew Acton’s ban as it serves as a timely reminder to all players that they have a responsibility to adhere to the anti-doping code and the use of banned substances has no place in our game.”