Aussie rugby league club chief quits over ‘horse drugs’ revelation
(03-13 12:24)
The chairman of shamed Australian rugby league club Cronulla Sharks quit today, days after alleging that some players were injected with “equine substances’’ in 2011.
The Sharks have been at the center of a doping scandal gripping Australia’s National Rugby League and last week head coach Shane Flanagan was suspended. Four other football staff members including the trainer, were sacked, AFP reports.
In announcing his resignation, Damian Irvine said the club had been under intense pressure since being mentioned in a wide-ranging Australian Crime Commission report into doping in sport.
He said comments he made to a Sunday newspaper that some Cronulla players had been given horse drugs in 2011 had not helped.
“I shouldn't have made them [those comments] at the time,’’ Irvine said.
“But it wasn't an interview in a calm situation. It was a middle of the night conversation after quite a bit of badgering. It wasn't sensible to make those comments and I'll take responsibility for those.
“I feel my presence at the club may prove be to an obstacle in allowing those affected by the decisions made by the board last week to move forward,'' he added.
“As a result I'm standing down as chairman of the board of directors.''
Irvine has been replaced by board member Glenn Coleman.
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