Bouwer suspended for 4 years
Scrumhalf Arthur Bouwer has become Namibia''s second rugby player to receive a suspension from World Rugby.
World Rugby''s Judicial Committee has suspended 26-year-old Namibian Arthur Bouwer for a violation of the anti-doping rule and suspended him for four years.
The suspension period is backdated to 12 July 2016, the date when the player''s provisional suspension started, and it ends on 11 July 2020.
“During the period of ineligibility the player may return to train with a team or he may use the facilities of a union, club, rugby body or other member organisation of World Rugby, an association or a union on or after 12 May 2020 and during the training period as described the player may not compete or engage in any activity as described, other than training,” stated chairman Tim Gresson.
According to him, Bouwer told the Judicial Committee that he met a certain ''Antonio'' who informed him that he had played American football in Miami and assured him that in terms of health and anti-doping the drugs were safe for him.
He went on to say that Bouwer said to the committee that he was disappointed that he was omitted from the Rugby World Cup squad and decided to retire from rugby.
“He stated psychologically he was very negative… did not have any goals, his self-esteem was down and went through depression stage of his life and was open to try new products,” Gresson said.
He further said that when Bouwer had taken ''The Combo'', he felt energised and approximately a week later at the end of his trip ''Antonio'' gave him two more tablets to take home.
“He (Bouwer) then resumed playing the game this year in February/March, representing Namibia in the Currie Cup competition and in May he consumed the same ''combo'', not suspecting it could result in a positive test for a prohibited substance.”
Bouwer acknowledged that he should have done more than simply relying on Antonio''s assurance and that he had been reckless together with his awareness of World Rugby''s Anti-Doping Programme.
The Namibian however denied the counsel for World Rugby Richard Liddell''s proposition that he intentionally took a prohibited substance in May for the purpose of improving his prospects of being re-selected for the Namibian side.
Gresson maintained that Bouwer failed to prove that his conduct was unintentional and the committee should impose the prescribed sanction of four years'' ineligibility.
Furthermore, he pointed out that there were no grounds for reducing the period of ineligibility on the basis that there was no significant fault of negligence on his part.
According to Gresson, the committee also found that part of Bouwer''s evidence in taking the substances which he claimed was the source of the prohibited substances was far from satisfactory.
“It was lacking in detail, vague and by relying on Antonio''s assurance he failed to make proper enquiry as to its overall safety in terms of potential health.
“In our view while giving his evidence he did not attempt to obfuscate any of his replies to the challenging questions which were put to him.
“He candidly and properly admitted his mistakes and indeed accepted he had been reckless in that he knew when in the course of taking this ''combo'' there was the significant risk he might commit an anti-doping rule violation and manifestly disregarded the risky,” he said.
The young player has apologised to the NRU, his fellow players and coaches, and World Rugby.
“I did not intend any harm to anyone, nor did I intend to commit an anti-doping rule violation as I am a strong believer in clean rugby and fair sport,” he told the committee.
Cameron McNab was the first Namibian player to receive the ban this year.
KAINO NGHITONGO
The suspension period is backdated to 12 July 2016, the date when the player''s provisional suspension started, and it ends on 11 July 2020.
“During the period of ineligibility the player may return to train with a team or he may use the facilities of a union, club, rugby body or other member organisation of World Rugby, an association or a union on or after 12 May 2020 and during the training period as described the player may not compete or engage in any activity as described, other than training,” stated chairman Tim Gresson.
According to him, Bouwer told the Judicial Committee that he met a certain ''Antonio'' who informed him that he had played American football in Miami and assured him that in terms of health and anti-doping the drugs were safe for him.
He went on to say that Bouwer said to the committee that he was disappointed that he was omitted from the Rugby World Cup squad and decided to retire from rugby.
“He stated psychologically he was very negative… did not have any goals, his self-esteem was down and went through depression stage of his life and was open to try new products,” Gresson said.
He further said that when Bouwer had taken ''The Combo'', he felt energised and approximately a week later at the end of his trip ''Antonio'' gave him two more tablets to take home.
“He (Bouwer) then resumed playing the game this year in February/March, representing Namibia in the Currie Cup competition and in May he consumed the same ''combo'', not suspecting it could result in a positive test for a prohibited substance.”
Bouwer acknowledged that he should have done more than simply relying on Antonio''s assurance and that he had been reckless together with his awareness of World Rugby''s Anti-Doping Programme.
The Namibian however denied the counsel for World Rugby Richard Liddell''s proposition that he intentionally took a prohibited substance in May for the purpose of improving his prospects of being re-selected for the Namibian side.
Gresson maintained that Bouwer failed to prove that his conduct was unintentional and the committee should impose the prescribed sanction of four years'' ineligibility.
Furthermore, he pointed out that there were no grounds for reducing the period of ineligibility on the basis that there was no significant fault of negligence on his part.
According to Gresson, the committee also found that part of Bouwer''s evidence in taking the substances which he claimed was the source of the prohibited substances was far from satisfactory.
“It was lacking in detail, vague and by relying on Antonio''s assurance he failed to make proper enquiry as to its overall safety in terms of potential health.
“In our view while giving his evidence he did not attempt to obfuscate any of his replies to the challenging questions which were put to him.
“He candidly and properly admitted his mistakes and indeed accepted he had been reckless in that he knew when in the course of taking this ''combo'' there was the significant risk he might commit an anti-doping rule violation and manifestly disregarded the risky,” he said.
The young player has apologised to the NRU, his fellow players and coaches, and World Rugby.
“I did not intend any harm to anyone, nor did I intend to commit an anti-doping rule violation as I am a strong believer in clean rugby and fair sport,” he told the committee.
Cameron McNab was the first Namibian player to receive the ban this year.
KAINO NGHITONGO
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