Former Penrith fullback Zak Hardaker has been handed a 14-month suspension after he failed a drugs test leading up to the 2017 Super League grand final, England's Rugby Football League has announced.
The 26-year-old was suspended by Castleford having failed the test after a Super 8s game on September 8 before being sacked in February. Hardaker also missed out on the chance to represent England in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
"UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) today confirmed Zak Hardaker has been suspended from all sport for 14 months following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation," the governing body for rugby league in England said in a statement.
Hardaker, who tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine, is suspended from all sport until November 8. He played 11 matches for the Panthers in 2016 as part of a mid-season player swap for James Segeyaro.
"We believe the correct verdict has been returned and we would like to thank the tribunal for their professionalism," Hardaker's legal team said.
"This was a truly exceptional case, where the drug use was never linked to performance enhancement.
"In this regard Zak would never take any substance to achieve an unfair advantage and we are pleased that the decision of the tribunal has recognised this fact.
"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.
"Zak has asked for privacy at this time but thanked his family and close friends for helping him through this difficult period."
