Bath trio set to learn drugs fate
From the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugb...th/8093596.stm
Former Bath players Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins are on Monday expected to learn their fate over allegations of drugs use.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has spent three days reviewing the charges which include taking prohibited substances and refusing a drugs test.
The trio deny the claims and said the charges were "vigorously contested".
Former Bath lock Justin Harrison has already been banned for eight months after he admitted taking illegal drugs.
The 35-year-old Australian, who retired at the end of last season, was found guilty of "actions prejudicial to the interests of the game" at a hearing on 16 July.
Lipman, 29, and Crockett, 27, were co-captains of Bath last season but walked out of the club, along with the 27-year-old Higgins, in protest at claims they avoided drug tests on three occasions in the aftermath of an end-of-season party.
The hearing, which is being chaired by RFU disciplinary chief Judge Jeff Blackett, was due to finish on Friday but will now resume on Monday, 3 August, with a conclusion expected later the same day.
By contesting the charges, Lipman, Crockett and Higgins can expect a suspension of around 18 months if they are found guilty.
They were due to face an internal hearing at Bath but quit before it commenced, saying "scurrilous and unsubstantiated allegations" had forced their exit.
The RFU continued its investigations into the affair and believes there is a case to answer.
Sports solicitor Richard Mallett released a statement on behalf of Lipman, Crockett and Higgins which said: "We are extremely surprised and disappointed both by the RFU's decision to convene a disciplinary panel and the terms of their statement.
"Any charges brought by the RFU will be vigorously contested. This is a matter that we take very seriously and will do everything possible in order to clear our names.
"For legal reasons, we are unable to comment further at this stage."
Bath chief executive Bob Calleja also issued a statement, saying: "The club treats matters relating to drugs very seriously and we are perfectly satisfied that we acted correctly in requiring the players to explain themselves at an internal disciplinary hearing.
"They chose not to do so and, so far as we are concerned, our internal process is at an end, the players no longer being employed by the club."
In February, Bath and England prop Matt Stevens was given a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine.
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Blimey, what's happening in Bath? Stevens, Harrison and now these three. Bath isn't that bad a place to live is it?
Former Bath trio found guilty of misconduct
August 4, 2009 - 11:01AM
Former Bath trio Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins were suspended for nine months after being found guilty of misconduct in failing to submit to two drugs tests, the Rugby Football Union confirmed on Monday.
The punishments were handed down by the RFU's disciplinary panel, chaired by Judge Jeff Blackett.
The three players - all of whom played over 100 games each for Bath - were accused of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game on a number of charges, including "taking prohibited substances and wilful refusal to take a drugs test".
It is understood the charges of taking drugs were dropped at the outset of the four-day hearing.
The hearing began last Wednesday and Lipman, Crockett - who were both co-captains of the club last season - and Higgins had vowed to "vigorously contest" the RFU allegations.
Lipman, 29 and an England international, 27-year-old Crockett and Higgins, also 27, terminated their Bath contracts after being accused by the club of failing to take a drugs test on three occasions following an end-of-season celebration in London on May 10.
The players quit immediately before they were due to appear before an internal disciplinary hearing, claiming their positions at the club "had become untenable".
The trio - who are all still without a club with the season starting on September 4 - also said Bath's investigation had been misled by an anonymous source making "scurrilous and unsubstantiated" claims.
A fourth ex-Bath player, Australian Justin Harrison, was banned for eight months earlier last month after admitting three similar drug-related charges, including taking cocaine, in a separate RFU hearing.
Earlier this year another Bath player highly-rated England prop Matt Stevens received a two year ban for returning a positive test for cocaine.
AFP
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...152591192.html
