Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has rejected claims that the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority is set to resume interviews with NRL players as part of its investigation into the use of banned substances.
News Ltd and Fairfax on Saturday reported that ASADA was now in a stronger position to question the 31 current players at the centre of its probe in rugby league.
ASADA abandoned interviews in April when Sharks back-rower Wade Graham refused to answer questions on the basis of self-incrimination.
Ten Cronulla players face sanctioning as a result of the club's 2011 supplement program and ASADA will reportedly recommence interviews with NRL players on Monday week.
Flanagan said that was news to him and deferred any further questions on the matter to Sharks chief executive Steve Noyce.
"I think it's a furphy," Flanagan said after Cronulla's 40-0 hammering at the hands of the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night.
Flanagan was stood down as Sharks coach for two weeks in March when Cronulla's alleged involvement in the supplements saga first came to light.
Since being reinstated, Flanagan has guided Cronulla back into the top eight.
But they lost four straight games when the ASADA investigation first rocked the league and the timing of the reported second round of interviews couldn't be worse as the injury-hit Sharks try to clinch a finals berth over the remaining seven rounds.
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