Marc Shackley has been banned from all sport for four years following a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for the presence of a prohibited substance in his urine sample.
On 14 September 2021, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected an Out-of-Competition urine Sample from Mr Shackley at his home address. Analysis of Mr Shackley’s A Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for clenbuterol.
Clenbuterol is an anabolic agent used to gain muscle and burn fat. The drug is banned at all times under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
On 19 November 2021 UKAD notified Mr Shackley of the AAF, upon which he admitted to using a fat burner, which he now knew contained clenbuterol, to assist with weight loss in anticipation of upcoming surgery to his knee. Mr Shackley challenged UKAD’s jurisdiction in this matter, alleging to have retired from rugby league prior to using the substance and prior to the date of the test. If jurisdiction was established, Mr Shackley’s secondary position was that he had not committed the ADRVs intentionally.
Mr Shackley’s case was heard by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) on 12 April 2022. The NADP held that UKAD had jurisdiction in this matter. The NADP also held that Mr Shackley could not prove that the ADRVs were not intentional.
On 10 May 2022, the NADP issued Mr Shackley with a four-year ban from all sport, which is deemed to have commenced on 8 October 2021 and will expire at 11:59pm on 7 October 2025.
Speaking on the case, UKAD Director of Operations, Pat Myhill said: “Clenbuterol has no place in sport as there are many potential side effects to these types of anabolic agents that could cause damage to the individual and their fellow athletes.
“Athletes are solely responsible for what they put in their bodies at all times and should always check their supplements and medications on Informed Sport and Global DRO before taking them.
“The rules are clear, and athletes have a responsibility to protect their own health, career and their sport.”
Robert Hicks, Rugby Football League (RFL) Director of Legal and Operations said: “This is a case which reinforces the responsibility of players to take the steps to reduce the risk of failing a doping violation by checking their supplements.
“It also highlights the issue of their responsibility for ensuring the necessary steps are taken to confirm retirement from the sport. The RFL Operational Rules are there to protect the sport, athletes, and all to ensure that the sport remains clean.”
Clenbuterol is listed under section S1.2 Other Anabolic Agents of the WADA 2021 Prohibited List, which states that it is prohibited at all times. Clenbuterol is a Class C drug under the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It is not licensed for use as a medicine in the UK.
Mr Shackley was charged with violating Article 2.1 of the UK Anti-Doping Rules, in that a Prohibited Substance or its metabolites or markers were present in his A Sample, and Article 2.2 in that he used a Prohibited Substance, name clenbuterol, on or before 14 September 2021.
