UKAD back RFL and Hull FC

The UK Anti-Doping agency have given backing to the Rugby Football League and Hull FC after the recent drug problems at the club.

The incident sees former Great Britain centre, Martin Gleeson suspended as well as former CEO, James Rule and conditioner Ben Cooper.

Earlier this week, Gleeson claimed that RFL employees knew about the incident but chose to hide information from the UKAD. He told Inside Sport: “A web of lies has helped to destroy my career and make my life a misery. I feel bitter about what James Rule did, at what the club did and at how the RFL were part of the whole thing.”

A statement from the UKAD earlier today said: “UK Anti-Doping conducted full and extensive investigations which led to three individuals receiving bans totalling seven years.

“This was the first time that any member of an athlete’s entourage has been banned in this country and the first time globally that tampering with the doping control process in this manner has resulted in a violation.

“We sought external legal advice to independently review all possible charges during this process. Throughout our investigations, when approximately 250 hours of UK Anti-Doping staff time was spent on this case, we received support from Hull RLFC and the RFL.”