The reason why there is still so much speculation is entirely the club's fault.
Quote ="Official Statement from the club when Hock's A sample came back positive"Wigan Rugby League Club yesterday received formal confirmation from UK Sport and the RFL that player Gareth Hock has tested positive for a prohibited substance. The presence of Benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine) was discovered in the A:Sample Test taken at the Wigan game against Salford City Reds on 5th June 2009.
Pursuant to Article 7.2.3. of the Anti-Doping rules of the RFL, Gareth has been charged with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation and his Registration has been Provisionally Suspended by the RFL awaiting the B:Sample Test on June 30th. Whilst subject to a Provisional Suspension, a player may not participate in any capacity in any competition, event or other activity organised, convened, authorised or recognised by the RFL or by any other body that is a member of, or affiliated to, or licensed by the RFL.
The Club was informed of the situation on Monday 22nd June and joins with the RFL and UK Sport in deploring and condemning the use of drugs in sport including so-called recreational drugs.
Under the RFL Rules, if it is established that the player has committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation, a period of ineligibility of two years shall be imposed. In exceptional circumstances where an athlete can show he bears no fault or negligence for the Anti-Doping Rule Violation, where an athlete can show he bears no significant fault or negligence for the Anti-Doping Rule Violation or where an athlete provides substantial assistance to the RFL or UK Sport which results in the discovery of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation by another person, the period can be reduced.
Neither the club nor player will be making any further comment on this matter [uuntil[/u the investigation by UK Sport is completed.'"
The last bit is the relevant bit, the club has still to do something it said it would, which is adding to the speculation it could have sorted out months ago.
The investigation by UK Sport was completed months ago and months before this Hock did make comment before the investigation was complete by selling his story to the Screws of the World and admitted his guilt before the B sample test was confirmed.
So not only did Hock screw the club by taking a banned substance, he screwed them again by making a quick buck by going to the papers and not keeping his mouth shut as stated.
A certain scrum half was rightly kicked out the club for mouthing to the papers a few years back. If Hock is kept on by the club he should consider himself extremely lucky. I'd have kicked him out for going to the papers after the fe[ic[/ikwit failed the test.
