Whitehaven Rugby League Club said it did not know that Marc Shackley would be tested for drugs following his retirement from the game.
That test showed trace of clenbuterol, an anabolic agent, but Shackley, now 33, had announced his retirement that same month because of a persistent knee injury which had curtailed his season.
A statement released by his former club following the announcement of the ban said: “The issue arose as you can be tested up to 12 months after your contract finishes or you retirement from the game. The club as well as Marc did not know about this rule as this has never been explained in any pre-season meetings with the RFL.”
It added that over his years in competition, he had been tested for drugs at least once a year and passed every one.
Shackley said he had taken a fat burner containing the agent to slim for surgery on his knee but could not prove the violations were unintentional so the ban was imposed.
The club added: “Marc was tested in a out of competition test after he had informed the club he had retired from the game. All the evidence from the club, player, doctors and physios are in his favour.
“We see the RFL have now made a rule that retiring players have to inform them of retirement and this was never in place for Marc and seems to have been brought out after this case. We would just like to thank Marc for everything he has done for this club over the years.”
The ban will expire at midnight on October 8 2025 after being backdated to October 8 2021.
