Rangi Chase handed ban for anti-doping breach
Photo credit: Jackie Meredith and Rochdale Hornets
Former England international Rangi Chase has been banned for one month for an anti-doping rule violation.
Chase, 35, is now with League 1 Rochdale but has already served his ban and is free to play.
The former Man of Steel was banned for two years in 2017 after testing positive for cocaine.
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Back in September, UKAD collected an in-competition urine sample from Chase following Rochdale’s game with Barrow.
Analysis of Chase’s urine sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
In October, UKAD provisionally suspended Chase, who acknowledged he had taken cocaine in a private social setting.
He admitted the charge in December and said he had completed a five-day residential treatment programme.
UK Anti-Doping response
Speaking on the case, UKAD Acting Chief Executive, Pat Myhill said: “Mr Chase is the first athlete to complete a Substance of Abuse treatment programme approved by UKAD, which allowed his ban to be reduced to one month.
“This programme requires athletes to address their historical and current issues with substance use through focused educational and therapeutic sessions.
“The programme helps athletes to recognise the dangers of substance misuse and identify where to turn to for support in the future, should they need to do so.
“It is encouraging that Mr Chase took up the opportunity to engage with a treatment programme in this case.
“In line with the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code, we are placing a greater emphasis on the health and wellbeing of athletes to assist them with getting the help they may need.
“We are working hard to educate them on the harmful side-effects and consequences of drug-use.
“Athletes need to be aware that even when they use so-called ‘recreational drugs’ in a social setting, they risk damaging their health, as well as their careers, and can be banned from sport.”
Chase will be available to play for Rochdale in the Challenge Cup this weekend, when they face Castleford Lock Lane.