Rugby official admits paying for banned substances

During a random doping test, Emmanuel Ntshiwa and Lesedi Cherry tested positive to a banned substance. Irish told Mmegi Sport yesterday that he had paid for the supplements. He said players had asked for his assistance to pay for the substance because they could not afford it. “I did not mix and give it to the guys. They mixed themselves and drunk it. They had it in their own rooms. I only paid for it. It was expensive for somebody without money, but I have lots of money,” he said.  Irish said the supplement that was given to the team was a low-key one. He said taking supplements is common in sport.

He said supplements are being sold over the counter in most shops and players can easily access them. Despite that, he was not allowed to discuss the issue by the World Rugby rules until the suspension of the two players was over. The suspension ends in November. He said the executive committee was updated by BRU president, Dave Gilbert on the matter.