Statement on Brent Naden

The National Rugby League has today provisionally suspended Penrith Panthers player Brent Naden under the NRL’s Anti-Doping Policy.

The mandatory Provisional Suspension Notice asserts that Mr Naden returned a positive A-sample for metabolites of cocaine following a test conducted by Sport Integrity Australia after the Grand Final match on 25 October 2020. Cocaine is prohibited In-Competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the NRL’s Anti-Doping Policy.

Mr Naden is prohibited from participating in any WADA compliant sport, including rugby league, while the provisional suspension is in place.

Under the Anti-Doping Policy, Mr Naden now has the opportunity to have his B-sample analysed.

The NRL has spoken with Mr Naden and advised him of the support services available to him.

/NRL Public Release. View in full here.