Matt Smith/CFL.ca
TORONTO – Calgary Stampeders running back Roy Finch has been suspended for two games effective immediately after testing positive for a banned substance (D-amphetamine), under the drug policy of the Canadian Football League and the Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA).
Players who test positive will face a two-game suspension for a first doping violation, a nine-game suspension for a second violation, a one-year suspension for a third violation, and a lifetime ban for a fourth violation.
Under the policy, a suspended player cannot participate in games. It is up to their Club to determine whether that player can participate in other team activities, such as practices and meetings.
Shortly after the league announced the suspension, Finch issued the following statment: “I made a mistake and I accept full responsibility. I want to make it clear that there was absolutely no intent on my part to cheat as I was taking the medication to treat attention-deficit disorder. At the same time, I know that I’m responsible for what goes into my body and I should have asked more questions. I apologize to the fans, the coaches and my teammates for the embarrassment I have caused.”
“The Calgary Stampeders were very disappointed to learn about Roy’s violation of the policy on drugs,” Stampders president and general manager John Hufnagel said in a team-issued statement. “We understand the medication taken by Roy was to treat a legitimate medical condition however, by failing to follow procedure and obtain a therapeutic-use exception, Roy is subject to this penalty. While I believe this was an honest mistake on Roy’s part, it was a mistake nevertheless and it’s important that he and all players learn from this episode.”
All players will be subject to mandatory drug testing once testing positive and will participate in an assessment and clinical evaluation to determine if they need additional counselling.
The policy mandates a total number of random tests equal to 100 per cent of the players in the CFL.
Random testing is ongoing and is conducted year round.
