Sharks centre Bronson Xerri has been formally suspended until November 2023 following a ruling from the NRL Anti-Doping Tribunal.
Xerri was suspended for four years, but the suspension started with the date of his test on November 25, 2019.
The tribunal, chaired by the Honourable Ian Callinan AC QC with panellists Dr Sharron Flahive and Sean Garlick, found that Xerri breached the NRL’s Anti-Doping Policy when he tested positive to the presence of exogenous Testosterone, and its metabolites Androsterone, Etiocholanolone and 5b-androstane-3a, 17b-diol.
The Tribunal found that Xerri intentionally took testosterone knowing that the substance was either banned or that there was a serious risk it was banned.
The Tribunal also found that Xerri’s actions were, on his own evidence, at best grossly negligent. The sanction imposed is the presumptive 4-year ban for the use of serious performance-enhancing substances.
On Tuesday, the NRL said it will continue to offer wellbeing support to Xerri.