Panthers centre Brent Naden has been handed a one-month suspension after testing positive to cocaine in the hours after Penrith's 2020 grand final loss to Melbourne.
Naden's punishment is in accordance with the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code which allows a one-month ban for athletes in cases where the ingestion of a banned substance was out-of-competition and not for performance-enhancing purposes.
The centre was provisionally suspended at the start of the month, with his one-month ban meaning he is eligible to return to training and competition on January 1.
"Our club acknowledges the penalty handed to Brent Naden by the NRL in relation to his use of a recreational drug," the Panthers said in a statement.
"Brent has come to understand the significant impact of his actions on his family, our club and the game of Rugby League.
"He similarly understands how fortunate he is to have the opportunity to return to the NRL in 2021.
"With the support of Panthers staff and his family, Brent continues to work through his personal issues with a view to reaching his full potential on and off the field.
"We anticipate he will return to Panthers pre-season training following the completion of his suspension."
