Neil Back

Prove your innocence

Tue Jun 02 12:06PM

I'm not sure if anyone knows exactly what has been going on at Bath, but if I were one of the players under suspicion of drug taking then I would be shouting my innocence from the roof tops.

None of the three players involved has appeared to do that, and that alone suggests they are not free of blame.

If they are innocent of drug taking - which they claim to be - then they should do everything in their power to clear their names, starting with a drugs test.

The resignations and allegations are extremely damaging for a great club like Bath and they do rugby as a whole no good at all.

In all my time as a player at Leicester and with England I never once saw any recreational drug taking, so I hope the alleged problems at Bath are isolated to that club.

Obviously there was the Matt Stevens situation earlier in the year, but it would come as a massive shock to me if there was a recreational drugs culture in rugby.

I don't think that is the case, but clubs do have greater responsibilities these days to look after players because professionalism has created a different environment at the elite end of the sport.

Today's leading players get paid very well and have much more disposable income than before. They also have a lot more time on their hands as there is no need for them to hold down other jobs, as was the case when I was starting out.

Most clubs do a good job providing advice and support to players just starting out and those reaching the end of their careers. But there is another group, those in mid career, who maybe are not receiving the same levels of support.

These players are earning a decent wage, driving nice cars, living in good houses and eating in top restaurants. Maybe they get to see a side of life where recreational drugs are common and perhaps this can lead to temptation.

But don't get me wrong, there are no excuses for any player who does get involved in drugs. Every player is fully aware of what they can and what they cannot do.

After all, drug testing goes on all the time in professional rugby. There is testing after every international game, and random testing in the Premiership. I was tested throughout my career - and not always at the most convenient times - while I remember Dorian West was tested three weeks in succession.

There are no grey areas when it comes to drugs, which is why I do not understand why the players involved do not agree to a test. If they are innocent then it will clear their names.

Until they do so, there will always be suspicion.

Comments1 - 18 of 18

Well said Backy. If anyone is accused of alleged wrog doing and can prove themselves innocent they should do everything in their power to clear their name.
From neilfrederick on Tue Jun 02 01:41PM
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here here backy!
From parnellpr on Tue Jun 02 01:54PM
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Backy you are right .I find it difficult to accept that they are guilty . But there is no place for drugs ,recreationnal or not , in sport
From louis.ruddlesden on Tue Jun 02 02:05PM
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Unfortunately, in sport, it seems guilty until proven innocent.
These men do not have to shout or prove anything to anyone. Pity Back doesn't consider these mens reputations before shooting his mouth off & collecting his "journalistic" paycheque at these mens expense.
From caoimhinoconchuir on Tue Jun 02 02:44PM
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He's not shouting his mouth off about them. He talks generally in most of the article about drug use and sport. I know it's supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, but if you're accused of (illegal) drug taking, asked to undergo drugs testing, then upon refusal to do so get called to an internal meeting about it, then immediately quit, it looks damned suspicious. He's not saying they're guilty. He's just saying that claiming you didn't take drugs but refusing to take a test to prove it looks suspicious. And I agree with him. If I were in these men's positions (if I was innocent), the first thing I would do is take a drugs test and use the results to prove my innocence. And they want to clear their names. They're not going to achieve that by successfully sueing the club. The only way they can properly clear their names is to take a drugs test and prove that they didn't do it. Reputation has nothing to do with it (Matt Stevens is a case in point).
From alexa.webster on Tue Jun 02 03:14PM
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Unfortunately, what the general public & people like WADA do not seem to understand is that the rules of sport do not superceed the laws of the land! It doesn't matter whether or not these 3 players have or have not taken any substances, it is their basic right as free human beings to refuse the "request" of a drug test. It is about time somebody stood up & was counted, because mark my words, anyone who brings a case in a court of law would bring the doping authorites to their knees. I am all for drug free sports, but not at the expense of peoples characters being assinated & their rights being trampled on.
From caoimhinoconchuir on Tue Jun 02 04:45PM
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If I am correct though, if the police suspect someone of taking illegal drugs and they ask them to take a drugs test, they'll take a refusal to do so as an admission of guilt.
This is nothing to do with human rights! If it's defamation of character, it's such an easy thing to counter in this case! Just take a drugs test as soon as you're accused and if it's clear, you're innocent. Simple. The club hasn't been 'assassinating' their characters. They didn't release the names of players under investigation. It's only when the players quit (they weren't sacked, note) that the names were released, presumably to explain why three players still in contract have left. Even then, the club didn't say they'd taken drugs. Just that they'd quit prior to a hearing on why they refused to take the drugs tests. The closest anyone has come to saying that they're guilty is that it's very suspicious that they all claim to be innocent and yet refuse to provide samples to be tested. It's not even like the samples are difficult to obtain- hair, blood and urine samples. It's not like they're being asked for bone marrow!
I'll agree that the drugs testing procedure in many sports needs a rethink, but this case is nothing to do with WADA etc. They were being investigated by their club and they chose to quit as a result of it.
From alexa.webster on Tue Jun 02 05:55PM
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Three young fellows, after a gruelling season decided to go and let their hair down. They were not on duty and, were in effect, on a break from their club. Much ado about nothing. And as for the 'role model' nonsense, poppycock. Would you stop your kid buying a record by Robbie Williams, Eminem or Amy Winehouse?
From marioncourt on Tue Jun 02 06:05PM
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How can you say you are all for drug free sports when you are opposed to drug testing . This is the only way to find out if people are cheating cause that is what it is .Its like saying a suspected drunk driver doesnt have to take a breath test cause its infringing on his rights as a human being . What a load of rubbish , these players are guilty otherwise they would have taken the test simple as . At least matt Stevens had the decency to come out admit he was wrong & take the punishment on the chin . These players have took the easy option by resigning
From firstchoicepm on Tue Jun 02 06:06PM
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So Marion are you saying its ok to take recreational drugs ??
From firstchoicepm on Tue Jun 02 06:09PM
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It is the choice of the individual. They allegedly and clearly were not taking performance enhancing drugs and like I said - off duty.
From marioncourt on Tue Jun 02 06:14PM
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Regardless of how you look at it drug taking is illegal be it at work or off duty & to try & justify it is absolutely ludicrous
From firstchoicepm on Tue Jun 02 06:45PM
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any sports person that takes any type of illegal drug should be band from all sports
From iainbrown on Tue Jun 02 07:48PM
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Could someone who really knows please clarify the RFU drug testing policy. As I understand it players are only liable to random testing in season. Am I right?
If so there would appear to be a matter of principle here. In the absence of prima facia evidence of drug testing why should they, or anyone else, submit to testing (unless their contract with Bath require it and we don't know that it does)
So, until the facts are known most of what's been written is pure speculation.. It's not enough to say "I know it;s supposed to be innocent until proven guilty...but." In this country (despite 11 years of an authoritarian government) it is, no ifs or buts "Innocent until proven guilty" Until then we should all take care about what we infer in our comments.
And Alexa, if the police ask you to take a drug (or breath test) when for instance you are driving,and you refuse you are guilty of failing to provide a sample, not of anything else. Apart from driving there are only a few other situations where police can demand a sample for testing and if this applies to you then you will know about it. Otherwise you can politely but firmly decline. This also includes fingerprinting and DNA testing unless you have been arrested.
From dandmuk on Tue Jun 02 09:32PM
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The three players are only accused of failing to take a drug test. Nothing more. Unless their contracts or the RFU rules require that they take one they are not even guilty of that and hon't have to "prove " anything. Innocent until proven guilty. No ifs or buts.
From dandmuk on Tue Jun 02 09:57PM
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Aside from various the being "principles" being discussed here surely the most logical thing to do to clear your name would be attend the meeting take a test if requested shout from the hill tops once it has been proved negative ....move on....end of story !
The fact that of the 4 people involved 1 has left the sport and the country and the other 3 have suddenly resigned , rightly or wrongly speaks volumes in my opinion.
From kevin_waldock on Wed Jun 03 11:15AM
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Come on dandmuk you can talk legalities all day long but the fact of the matter is they allegedly refused a drug test & note I said allegedly . These are professional sportsmen they shouldnt have any problem providing a sample as long as they are clean . Some larger companies have random drug testing in the workplace & if you refuse its instant dismissal , I know if I was asked to provide a sample I wouldnt have any problem because I know I am clean .
From firstchoicepm on Wed Jun 03 01:48PM
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It's also very strange that Justin Harrison has hot-footed it back to Australia. Does anyone know? Is his disappearance also linked to these three guys?
From maclennanneil on Thu Jun 04 12:12PM
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