Hock tests positive for cocaine
Gareth Hock faces an uncertain future
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Tuesday, 23, Jun 2009 10:04
Wigan Warriors have confirmed that England international Gareth Hock has tested positive for cocaine.
The 25-year-old tested positive for the banned substance after Wigan's Super League game against the Salford City Reds on June 5 and has now been suspended by the Rugby Football League (RFL).
"The RFL can confirm that under its anti-doping rules it has charged Wigan Warriors' Gareth Hock with an anti-doping rule violation," read a RFL statement.
"This was after the RFL was informed by UK Sport on Monday, 22 June that there had been an adverse analytical finding in a specimen provided by Hock following the Wigan versus Salford game on 5 June. The sample contained Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of Cocaine.
"The RFL condemns the use or distribution of prohibited substances or methods as defined by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) prohibited list."
The Warriors also released a statement saying they too like the RFL condemn the use of drugs – recreational or otherwise – in sport.
Hock came through the Wigan academy before making his debut for the Super League giants in 2003 and was named Super League young player of the year in his first season. He has gone on to play 128 games for the Warriors and scored 23 tries.
The talented second-rower has also won four caps for Great Britain and played a major part in the World Cup last year with England.