ZAK’S BACK IN NOVEMBER
Cocaine shame star limits ban to 14 months
ZAK HARDAKER has been banned for 14 months for testing positive for cocaine.
The former Castleford star, 26, had been expected to get two years after admitting taking the drug last September.
But his legal team successfully argued for a reduced ban after claiming there were a “number of exceptional circumstances”.
Due to those reasons – believed to include a family tragedy – they claim he “bore no significant fault in committing an anti-doping rule violation”.
It means Hardaker, who has not got a club after being sacked by Castleford, will be able to play again after November 7.
Wigan Warriors, who are parting company with Sam Tomkins at the end of the year, are favourites to sign him.
The bombshell of the England star’s drugs shame was dropped on the Tigers in the week of last year’s Grand Final. He was immediately suspended and many believe it cost them the Super League title, losing 24-6 to Leeds.
Hardaker admitted his
“error of judgement” and apologised for letting everyone down.
England also dropped him from their World Cup squad because of the positive test which followed a Super 8s game against Leeds in September. The player has a chequered past, with a number of bans and punishments for homophobic abuse and alcohol problems as well as beating up a student.
His solicitors Chadwick Lawrence said: “This was a truly exceptional case where the drug use was never linked to performance enhancement. He was commended by the tribunal for his impressive, comprehensive evidence and the fact that he made no attempt to downplay his conduct and was utterly frank with them.
“The last two years have been an extremely difficult period for Zak, who, away from the public eye, has bravely battled a number of personal traumas.” Hardaker was one of three players to test positive for cocaine last season, along with Rangi Chase and Adam Walker.
Chase, who was playing for Widnes at the time, has since been banned from rugby for two years. Wakefield forward Walker is suspended while he awaits his fate.
Hull KR’s Thomas Minns also tested positive in March and plans to plead guilty. SUPER LEAGUE bottom club Huddersfield have appointed Newcastle Knights assistant Simon Woolford as their new head coach.