All players implicated in doping scandal have been contacted.
NRL clubs might never know the exact identity of players accused of being administered performance enhancing drugs as the ASADA probe into the sport has diverted CEO’s intentionally.
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) has now made contact with all 31 players under suspicion of being involved with the scandal.
Interviews are set to begin within the next fortnight as the code attempts to continue with business as usual, while the futures of players and possibly clubs hangs in the balance.
NRL CEO Dave Smith said the investigation was moving as quickly as possible given the layers of information they need to sift through.
“To my knowledge, all players have now been contacted and made aware they are wanted for interview by ASADA,” Smith said.
“The notifications were sent out in stages from last Thursday or Friday.
“We’ve been talking to ASADA and are happy with the way they’re conducting the investigation. The additional resources have really made a difference. Things are going as well as can be expected, given the circumstances.”
In accordance with ASADA’s protocol regarding interviews, the contacted players have a week to declare if they will co-operate.
However, under the NRL’s blanket rules in its code of conduct relating to the matter, the players do not have a choice and must offer themselves up along with any information they have regarding doping.
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