Ban for cocaine costs Hardaker World Cup spot
ZAK HARDAKER faces a fight to save his career after the full back became the third Super League player to test positive for cocaine in three months.
The 25-year-old was sensationally axed from Castleford’s squad for Saturday’s 24-6 Grand Final defeat to Leeds — with his employers declining to offer any reason other than that he had breached club rules.
However, the Rugby Football League revealed yesterday morning that Hardaker had tested positive for a banned substance following a Super League match on September 8.
The player was later left out of Wayne Bennett’s England squad for the World Cup, which was announced yesterday.
In a separate statement, Hardaker apologised for ‘an enormous error of judgement’.
However, the sport is now facing questions over whether use of the drug is rife among its players after Hardaker became the third to test positive for cocaine since July. Rangi Chase of Widnes and Adam Walker of Wakefield both tested positive after a match between the sides on July 14.
When asked if there was a problem within the sport, the RFL declined to comment, stating that investigations into all three players are ongoing.
Sportsmail understands that presentations are given every year to players on the dangers of drugs, with the consequences of being caught clearly outlined.
Each of the trio has the right to ask for a B sample to be tested, and await the outcome of investigations by UK Anti-Doping. In his would statement,like to apologiseHardaker said:to my ‘I team-mates, the staff and all fans for my enormous error of judgment.
‘I was given an opportunity by this great club and in what has been one of the most important weeks in its history, I have let everyone at the club down. For that, I truly apologise.’
Castleford said they were informed of Hardaker’s failed test at 10am last Thursday and suspended the player immediately.
Hardaker now faces a ban of up to two years, with his career hanging in the balance. In his absence, his side put in a poor performance as they went down to Leeds, with coach Daryl Powell admitting the saga was ‘a big distraction’. The development is the latest episode in a chequered career for Hardaker, who was thrown out of England’s 2013 World Cup squad for a breach of discipline. The following year he was handed a five-match ban and fined £300 after being charged with making a homophobic comment while playing for Leeds. In 2015, Hardaker was quizzed by police after allegations of assault at a student halls of residence. He did not face criminal charges but agreed to pay £200 and write an apology to the victim. After a club probe, he was ordered to go on an anger management course and fined a month’s wages.