Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/bath/7915732.stm; http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jan/22/matt-stevens-bath-england-suspension;
Matt Stevens (England prop) has received a two-year drugs ban until January 18th 2011, after testing positive for a prohibited substance (though to be cocaine) during a routine urine sample, last December. The ban covers all aspects of rugby (playing / coaching / even promoting the sport). Stevens has opted not to appeal and instead accepts “full responsibility” for his actions.
He is quitting his club rugby side, Bath, to spare them any further embarrassment, and instead will focus attention on opening a new cafe (Jika Jika) this summer in Bath.
Martin Johnson (England Rugby Manager) has commented that: “Matt has admitted that he has a problem and is seeking help. We support him in that but all rugby players must understand that they are responsible for their actions, and that includes lifestyle choices.”
As Cocaine is also a Class A recreational drug, Stevens is lucky that he is not facing imprisonment or criminal charges. Lets just hope that the new cafe is not like the ones that you can find in Amsterdam!
See the Sky Sports Interview here: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Matt-Stevens-England-Rugby-Player-Admits-Taking-Drugs-And-Faces-Two-Year-Ban/Video/200901315207503?lid=VIDEO_15207503_MattStevensEnglandRugbyPlayerAdmitsTakingDrugsAndFacesTwoYearBan&lpos=searchresults
Kris is a Senior Lecturer, and Co-Director of the Centre for International Sports Law (CISL) at Staffordshire University, UK. He originally trained and competed as an elite gymnast until a shoulder injury at university forced him to retire as an active competitor. He now spends his spare time coaching Trampolining, Gymnastics, DMT, Cheerleading, Parkour and anything that involves throwing yourself through the air with various degrees of twist and rotation!
Jon is an Associate Professor, and Co-Director of the Centre for International Sports Law (CISL) at Thompson Rivers University, British Columbia. Jon worked as a climbing guide, trained and coordinated search and rescue, managed risk and sales in the United States with a European-based manufacturer of outdoor equipment and advised recreation programmes on their exposure to legal risk. His extra-curricular background is just as diverse and includes stints playing semi-pro volleyball in Brazil, researching wolves in the Canadian Rockies, climbing and leading expeditions from Alaska to Argentina, Tajikistan to the Tetons, and many points in between. He has been married to Wendy for 15 years and together they have 2 wonderful kids – Tegan (10) and Brock (8) – whom he continues to emotionally scar as their football coach!
March 6, 2009
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