UK Anti-Doping v Finley Evans

Decision Details

A decision in the case of UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) against Finley Evans has been issued by the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP).

Welsh rugby union player Mr Finley Evans was charged by UKAD with committing Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) pursuant to ADR Article 2.1, in that a Prohibited Substance, ostarine, was present in the Sample he provided during an Out-of-Competition test on 12 December 2023, and ADR Article 2.2, in that he used a Prohibited Substance, ostarine, on or before 12 December 2023.

Mr Evans didn’t dispute the ADRVs but sought to mitigate sanctions by arguing that 1) his intentions were not intentional 2) he bore No Significant Fault or Negligence. 

The National Anti-Doping Tribunal, comprised of Charles Hollander KC (Chair), Lorraine Johnson and Dr Chinyere Ezewuzie, was appointed to determine this matter. 

A remote hearing was held on 27 August 2024, focusing on two supplements: 1) Black Mamba-Myostat that he purchased on or around 16 November 2023; 2) Epicatalean, Cellucor C4 Original Pre-Work Out Shot, which he purchased at the gym and paid for in cash. 

Mr Evans destroyed all supplements in his possession upon receiving the Notice of Charge, making it impossible for any of these supplements to be subjected to laboratory analysis. There was no scientific evidence before the Tribunal, other than that provided by the independent expert witness. Any conclusion as to the source of the Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF) would be mere speculation. 

Accordingly, the Tribunal was satisfied as Mr Evans had admitted he had committed the ADRVs pursuant to ADR Articles 2.1 and 2.2. But with no scientific evidence before the Tribunal Mr Evans was unable to discharge the burden of proof to satisfy the Tribunal that the cause of the ADRVs was not intentional and the question of No Significant Fault or Negligence did not arise. and The Tribunal imposed a period of Ineligibility of four years. Mr Evans received credit for the period of Provisional Suspension; hence, the four year period of Ineligibility was set to run from 19 January 2024 and end at midnight 18 January 2028.

A copy of the full decision can be accessed via the related documents tab on the right-hand side.

The National Anti-Doping Panel is the United Kingdom’s independent tribunal responsible for adjudicating anti-doping disputes in sport. It is operated by Sport Resolutions and is entirely independent of UK Anti-Doping who is responsible for investigating, charging, and prosecuting cases before the NADP.