UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected In-Competition urine Samples from Mr Jones on 7 December 2019 at a match between Bridgend RFC and RGC 1404 RFC. Analysis of Mr Jones’ A Samples returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
Cocaine is a non-Specified Stimulant that is prohibited In-Competition under the WADA 2019 Prohibited List.
On 3 March 2020, UKAD issued Mr Jones with a Notice of Charge and a Provisional Suspension. Mr Jones admitted the charge but disputed the length of ban to be applied. The case was therefore referred to the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) for a hearing. On 12 April 2021, the NADP Tribunal that considered Mr Jones’ case issued him with a three-month ban from sport, under new provisions for ‘Substances of Abuse’ mandated by the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code.
More information on this can be found on the UKAD website here.
Considering the Provisional Suspension already served by Jones, which is more than three months, he is eligible to return to sport with immediate effect.
