Fiji Rugby Star Suspended for 4 Months after Testing Positive for Banned Substance
Fiji Rugby Union has announced that one of its top players, Jone Wesele, has been suspended for four months after testing positive for a banned substance.
Wesele, who plays prop for the Fiji national team and was a key player in the team’s successful 2018 Rugby World Cup campaign, tested positive for the anabolic steroid, Oxandrolone, following a routine drug test conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The 27-year-old player was provisionally suspended by the Fiji Rugby Union on February 10, pending the outcome of the investigation. The union has since confirmed that Wesele has been officially suspended for four months, effective from February 10.
Wesele’s suspension means that he will miss the remainder of the Fiji Rugby Championship and will not be eligible to play for the national team until August 10.
The Fiji Rugby Union has condemned Wesele’s actions and has stressed that the use of banned substances is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the sport.
“The Fiji Rugby Union is disappointed and saddened by Jone Wesele’s actions,” said a statement from the union. “The use of banned substances is unacceptable and goes against the values and principles of our sport. We will continue to work closely with WADA and other anti-doping authorities to ensure that our sport remains clean and fair.”
Wesele has issued an apology for his actions and has expressed his commitment to regaining his place on the national team.
“I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I understand that my actions have let down my teammates, coaches, and fans,” said Wesele in a statement. “I am committed to learning from my mistake and working hard to regain my place on the national team. I want to assure everyone that I will do everything in my power to ensure that my actions do not happen again.”
The suspension is a major blow to Fiji’s rugby team, which is currently preparing for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup tournament. The team is expected to announce a replacement for Wesele in the coming days.
This is not the first time that a Fiji rugby player has been suspended for doping offenses. In 2019, another Fiji player, Semi Kunatani, was suspended for two years after testing positive for a banned substance.
