Many more NRL players in ASADA's sights - Sydney Morning Herald

EXCLUSIVE

Up to 50 NRL players will become embroiled in ASADA's investigation into the use of performance-enhancing substances if a proposed bill ramping up the agency's powers is passed by Parliament.

Fairfax Media can reveal that the dramas engulfing Cronulla and Manly could be just the tip of the iceberg; athletes from other sports may also come under the microscope.

The ASADA Amendment Bill 2013 proposes to give the organisation powers similar to those granted to corruption watchdogs. Fourteen contracted Cronulla players are under investigation for allegedly using performance-enhancing substances in 2011, while at least three representative players at Manly are reportedly also in ASADA's sights. However, the scope will be broadened to target more players under the bill, which will place the onus on athletes to prove their innocence.

The Australian Crime Commission has already named six clubs - Manly, Cronulla, Newcastle, North Queensland, Canberra and Penrith - in their report into doping and potential links to underworld figures and match-fixing. Should the number of rugby league players targeted rise to 50, it could spell disaster for the integrity of the NRL competition as the prospect arises of star players - and even entire teams - being rubbed out of the 2013 competition.

The Coalition and the Greens have refused to support the bill in its proposed form, saying it strips away fundamental legal rights. It remains to be seen if the government needs to make minor or major tweaks for it to pass through Parliament.

As part of her submissions regarding the bill, ASADA chief executive Aurora Andruska said one-third of the anti-doping rule violations since 2006 had been uncovered as a result of investigative work rather than positive drug tests.

Andruska estimates that if ASADA had been able to compel compliance in its investigations - a key plank of the proposed bill - 25 per cent more convictions would have been recorded in the past year alone. At present, the onus is on ASADA to prove athletes have taken illegal substances. However, the bill would remove the presumption of innocence and the onus of proof would be reversed in favour of the agency. Failure to co-operate would result in penalties, including a $5100 fine for not complying with a disclosure notice.

Concerns have been raised about the impingement on privacy and the potential misuse of the increased powers. However, Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates said in his submission to the Senate standing committee that the powers were necessary because of the ''ineffectiveness of the current testing regime in catching all the cheats''.

Interim Sharks chief executive Bruno Cullen, the man called in to mop up the financial mess at the Gold Coast Titans last year, has blasted the federal government's handling of the ACC's report into drugs.

''I just think it has been extremely badly handled by a lot of people who have had their hands on it and that goes to the very start of all this,'' Cullen said.

''Personally, I think it would have been better if information and intelligence gathering turned into hard evidence before anyone ever came out and said anything.''

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