North Queensland Cowboys named in sport doping probe - Herald Sun

North Queensland Cowboys CEO Peter Jourdain has confirmed the club has been named in the Australian Crime Commission anti-doping investigation report. Picture: Michael Chambers

The scientist at the centre of Essendon's controversial performance supplements program says it was within the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Courtesy: 7.30, ABC

Wests Tigers captain Benji Marshall says the club has nothing to fear in the doping investigation.

The AFL says it is aware of only two specific cases where players or clubs may have breached the league's WADA code.

AUSTRALIA'S drugs in sport scandal stretches the length of the country with North Queensland Cowboys one of six NRL clubs named in the Australian Crime Commission anti-doping investigation.

The Cowboys, Penrith and Canberra confirmed last night they had been told by the ARL Commission their club was mentioned in the ACC investigation into performance-enhancing substances.

The NRL and the three clubs did not say which substance taken by the players had drawn scrutiny from the ACC investigators and Cowboys management expects more in-depth briefings today from the NRL.

Rival NRL clubs Cronulla, Manly and Newcastle were named in some media reports as the other clubs to come under scrutiny over their personal supplement use.

"We have been mentioned in the report but we have no information on the context," chief executive Peter Jourdain said.

"Until we receive a briefing on Tuesday afternoon, we will not be making any further public comment. We strongly support this investigation."

Broncos and Titans officials contacted last night were adamant their club had not been informed of any links to the investigation by the NRL.

Manly coach Geoff Toovey said he had not yet spoken with Sea Eagles supremos Dave Perry or Scott Penn, neither of whom returned calls.

Penrith were one of the first clubs to undergo an audit of their supplement program, with accounting officers from Deloitte visiting last Thursday.

Manly and Newcastle were also audited, while Cronulla were the first club to be scrutinised in this way last Wednesday.

The call to Cowboys management from ARL Commission chief executive David Smith came as a surprise to them, as they had earlier in the day told The Courier-Mail they understood they were not one of the clubs to be named by the ACC.

A source said the Panthers were given "zero detail" on the extent of their involvement, or what individuals might have a case to answer.

Smith said the league had no authority to confirm the number of players referred to in the report.

"The information that has been passed on to the clubs is simply that they have been referred to within the report," Smith said.

A South Sydney reserve-grade player, who has played in the NSW Cup for North Sydney, was stood down yesterday after an allegation of performance-enhancing drug use. The player is the first to have been revealed as responsible for a banned substance infraction since last week's ACC revelations.

The Australian head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, John Fahey, argued the Federal Government needed to explain their strategy with last week's announcement.

"I am puzzled why they chose to announce it in the manner they did, knowing it will be some months before the individuals are dealt with after ASADA (Australia's Sports Anti-Doping Authority) and the state police forces conclude their work," said Fahey, who is in London for a WADA conference today.

"We've seen some bones, now give us some meat.

"In the meantime, while we are guessing, no doubt there is a high level of discomfort from ... the NRL and the AFL, who seem to be where the fingers are being pointed."