Rugby official admits paying for banned substances
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday August 11, 2017 12:20
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.
“The players were assisted during the hearing by paying for their attorneys. But I am not aware who paid for the attorneys. We were advised by World Rugby to get them a legal team,” he said.
Irish said they have started closely checking the supplements that players take. He said this year, there were two players who were taking supplements and as the rugby leadership they checked it to make sure they did not contain banned substances.
Mmegi Sport got hold of Ntshiwa who is now based in the USA. He said the matter was sad for him. He said before each game during the qualifiers, a mixture was prepared for them. He said the mixture was like an energy drink.
“It was white powder, ice and water and then the whole team would drink it. But we had faith in Sean (Irish), who was the main driver of this whole drink thing.
We trusted and believed that it had nothing to do with the violation of doping regulations,” Ntshiwa said.
He said the coach, Seabe Gabatladiwe and the team manager, Frederick Kebadiretse were against the idea.
“I do not know where to start because after getting a spine injury, they are nowhere to be found,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Gabatladiwe said he is always against players taking any supplements. He said players should depend on talent not supplements.
BRU secretary general, Ernest Mantsi said he was not in position to comment on the matter.