Australian James Maloney, rugby league star who was doing a last freelance in the French championship, in Lézignan, tested positive for cocaine, his club confirmed on Tuesday.
"The anti-doping agency has informed us of a positive test," said FC Lézignan XIII president Alain Fabre, confirming information from the daily newspapers L'Indépendant and
L'Equipe
.
Aged 35, Maloney was laid off as a precaution by the Aude club, currently third in the championship (Elite 1), after suffering a check at the end of February during a meeting against Carcassonne. cocaine positive.
Suspended from the fate of the AFLD
The fate of the player, under contract until the end of June, is now suspended from the decision of the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD), which could be lenient if he manages to prove that he has consumed this substance for recreational purposes and not to improve its performance.
"It's up to him to provide the elements," explained Alain Fabre.
“We all know that cocaine is a scourge of society, in all walks of life.
No one is immune.
And unfortunately, we cannot be behind all the players to monitor what they are doing when they are not at the club.
»
"He doesn't need that"
“He has a crazy career behind him.
He doesn't need that to play at our level.
He is at the end of his career, he came to have fun, ”added the manager.
Maloney was crowned world champion in 2017 with Australia and twice won the NRL, Australia's prestigious rugby league championship.
He had led the French Catalan Dragons franchise, based in Perpignan, to the Super League final last season, before joining Lézignan, where his presence had thrown a spotlight on the Aude club and the semi-professional championship. Elite 1.
“There was a Maloney effect.
We were very proud to welcome him.
That a player like him, who is an example, a world reference, a star, comes to play with us, it was unexpected, ”commented Alain Fabre again.
“And the guy ends up like that… We can't condone it.
»
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