World Rugby has confirmed that Moldova player Maxim Gargalic has been suspended for two years for an anti-doping rule violation.
The 25-year-old underwent an in-competition urine test on 5 April, 2014 at the European Nations Cup Division 1B match between Poland and Moldova in Siedlce, Poland. Upon analysis, his sample was found to contain the presence of 19-norandrosterone, which is listed in Section 1.1B of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of prohibited substances.
At a World Rugby Judicial Committee hearing which was held on 29 September (by teleconference), the player accepted that he had committed an anti-doping rule violation.
In considering all aspects of the case, the committee decided to impose a two-year suspension, the standard minimum sanction in accordance with the World Rugby regulations and the WADA Code. Given the player had been provisionally suspended since 3 July 2014, the suspension will run until midnight on 2 July 2016.
Read the full written judgement here.
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “World Rugby operates a zero-tolerance policy on doping. Players are solely responsible for any prohibited substance found in their body. This decision sends a clear message to all players on the risks of taking a banned substance and should act as a deterrent to others.
“World Rugby has in place a comprehensive education programme which continues to evolve on www.keeprugbyclean.com and World Rugby continues to run mandatory education across its events.The latest e-learning programme was launched last year and highlights the dangers and consequences of doping.”
Given the time for an appeal has elapsed without the player exercising that right, the decision is now final and binding.