Rugby Union player handed nine-year ban from sport
Rugby union player, Aaron Lyle, has received a nine-year ban from sport following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Use, Possession, Trafficking and Attempted Trafficking of multiple Prohibited Substances.
Mr Lyle was first investigated by Leicestershire Police in 2018 after officers at UK Border Force seized several packages containing Prohibited Substances addressed to properties linked to Mr Lyle. He was cautioned by Leicestershire Police for the offence of possession with intent to supply Class C drugs.
Following conclusion of the police investigation, the information collected, including data from Mr Lyle’s phone, was provided to UKAD, who commenced its own investigation into the matter.
UKAD sent Mr Lyle a notification letter in September 2023, confirming the imposition of a Provisional Suspension and formally notifying him that he may have committed multiple ADRVs including Use, Possession, Trafficking and Attempted Trafficking of Prohibited Substances.
Mr Lyle was subsequently charged by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) under its Anti-Doping Rules, with the commission of multiple ADRVs. Mr Lyle accepted the charges and the asserted period of Ineligibility of nine years.
My Lyle participated in a number of rugby union fixtures in September 2024 while provisionally suspended, thus breaching the terms of his Provisional Suspension. As a result, Mr Lyle cannot be afforded any credit for the time he spent provisionally suspended, meaning that his period of Ineligibility began on 27 November 2024 and will end at 11.59pm on 26 November 2033.
Hamish Coffey, UKAD Director of Operations, said:
“The multiple Prohibited Substances found in Mr Lyle’s possession in this case have no place in sport. The serious nature of the ADRVs that Mr Lyle has committed is reflected in the lengthy ban from sport that has been imposed.”
“UKAD has a great working relationship with law enforcement agencies across the UK – this case serves as another example of how partnerships with these agencies can enable UKAD to gather information, disrupt supply lines of Prohibited Substances and catch those responsible.”
Technical terms and more information
Please note, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, capitalised terms used in this announcement have the meaning given to them in the UK Anti-Doping Rules and/or World Anti-Doping Code.
Today’s announcement is made in accordance with the applicable anti-doping rules, following the expiry of appeal rights for UKAD, the Athlete, and the applicable National Governing Body and/or International Federation.
