Jarrod Mullen's NRL career is all but over after he was suspended for four years for doping offences.
The governing body on Wednesday rubbed out the former Newcastle and one-time NSW Origin playmaker until 2021 after he was found guilty of taking banned steroid Drostanolone by the NRL's anti-doping body.
The 30-year-old has 21 days to appeal the decision and take the NRL to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Mullen delivered a positive result for Drostanolone after a routine swab test during pre-season training last year.
In March ASADA recommended Mullen be banned for four years however he chose not to accept the punishment and appealed to the NRL anti-doping tribunal.
He pleaded for leniency, arguing he was not attempting to gain a competitive advantage but was hoping to repair his body after suffering a second serious hamstring injury in a year.
Mullen, who played 211 games for the Knights since debuting in 2005, was provisionally suspended on January 17 and was on Wednesday suspended after the anti-doping tribunal, chaired by former High Court judge Ian Callinan, found he had violated the game's anti-doping policy.
"As we have said all along, this has been a disappointing matter for all parties," Knights CEO Matt Gidley said.
"We wish to reiterate this matter took place independently of the club.
"It is important to acknowledge Jarrod made a significant contribution to the club over a long period of time and that adds to the disappointment in how he now departs the club."
ASADA CEO Ben McDevitt said: "ASADA will continue to work to protect those athletes who make the right decisions when it comes to injury treatment and rehabilitation"
"Ultimately, Mr Mullen has paid a heavy price for his poor decision making."
NRL Official Statement
The NRL said today that Newcastle Knights player Jarrod Mullen has been suspended for 4 years under the League’s Anti-Doping Policy.
The Anti-Doping Tribunal, chaired by former High Court Judge, the Hon Ian Callinan AC QC, found that Mr Mullen had committed the following violations of the Anti-Doping Policy:
Presence of the prohibited substance Drostanolone, an anabolic steroid and;
Use of the prohibited substance Drostanolone
The Tribunal imposed a suspension of 4 years to run from the date of Mr Mullen’s provisional suspension which began on 17 January, 2017.
His suspension will expire on 16 January, 2021.
Mr Mullen has 21 days to appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Knights Official Statement
The Club has today been informed that the NRL Anti-Doping Tribunal has confirmed a four-year ban for Jarrod Mullen due to Anti-Doping Rule violations.
“As we have said all along, this has been a disappointing matter for all parties,” CEO Matt Gidley.
“We wish to reiterate this matter took place independently of the Club.
“It is important to acknowledge Jarrod made a significant contribution to the Club over a long period of time and that adds to the disappointment in how he now departs the Club.
“We wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
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