Australian Reece Hewat underwent a doping test last November.
His absence at short notice this Sunday from the Newport Dragons (Pau 15-24 victory), in the Challenge Cup, ultimately went almost unnoticed. A last minute injury had, officially, forced third row Reece Hewat to withdraw, although he was supposed to start. Ultimately, his absence was linked to a much more serious matter.
In fact, it is the Paloise Section itself which learns this Wednesday, in a press release. Reece Hewat tested positive “to a banned substance (benzoylecgonine, the main metabolic agent of cocaine)”. The Béarnais club continues: “Reece Hewat informed the management of the Paloise Béarn Pyrénées Section of his notification of a positive result for a prohibited substance during a test carried out at the end of November. The player admitted consumption in a private setting (outside any presence of a club member).”
“The club reserves the right to impose additional sanctions”
Thus, the third row in 6 matches including 4 starts this season was laid off as a precautionary measure. “According to the sanctions pronounced by the AFLD, the club, in its capacity as employer, reserves the right to additional sanctions and disciplinary measures. Alongside these sanctions, the player will be subject to a support program adapted medicalwrites the Section. The end of the Australian's season therefore seems compromised, while the French Anti-Doping Agency considers the subject.
Moreover, “the club and its leaders express with the greatest firmness their rejection of this behavior contrary to the law, the rules and the spirit of sport as well as our values. The club has strengthened internal measures to prevent addictive behavior […] The club is convinced that the world of sport must commit in an exemplary manner.”
