In October 2023 United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) reported an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) against the rugby player David Foggin-Johnston after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cocaine.
Following notification, a provisional suspension was imposed. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the National Anti-Doping Panel.
The Athlete admitted the violation and asserted that the Cocaine was used only recreational, out-of-competition and unrelated to sport performance. He acknowledged that he suffered from a cocaine habit and abuse of alcohol.
With friends he had consumed large amounts of alcohol and had used cocaine from the Thursday evening until the Friday evening. Although he admitted later that he continued drinking hereafter and had used more grams of cocaine then stated, he denied he had used cocaine on Saturday or on Sunday.
He stated that originally he was not scheduled to play on Sunday. Yet, when he was recovering in bed at home on Saturday he was called unexpectedly to play on Sunday where he was tested.
UKAD and its anti-doping expert deemed that the Athlete's use occurred in-competition because he also must have used cocaine on the Saturday. When he was tested the concentration found in his sample was 140 times above the threshold whereas the concentration of Benzoylecgonine in his sample was 79 time greater.
In view of the evidence the Panel concludes that the Athlete's use of cocaine was recreational and ultimately occurred in-competition when he started his binge session on the Thursday. The Panel does not accept that his first explanation of his consumption of cocaine and alcohol was inaccurate, neither that he failed to produce corroborating evidence in his defence.
Therefore the Panel decides on 1 August 2024 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 11 October 2023.
