Knights veteran Jarrod Mullen is a step closer to learning his fate after confirmation that his B-sample has tested positive to a banned anabolic steroid.
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The NRL announced on Wednesday it had been informed by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency that Mullen's positive swab to steroid Drostanolone had been reaffirmed by a second test.
The 29-year-old produced an abnormal result after a random drugs test on November 29.
The former NSW Origin playmaker has now been issued with a Notice of Alleged Anti-Doping Rule Violation and could be facing a maximum four-year ban, which would all but the his career.
There has been speculation, however, that he has been co-operating with ASADA and is hoping he will receive a reduced ban of two years, which could potentially allow him to resume his career, possibly in Super League.
The NRL issued two statements on Wednesday. The first one said that Mullen had allegedly breached the amti-doping policy “through the possession and use of Drostanolone.”
It then issued a revised statement, which changed the wording to “the presence and use of Drostanolone.’’
Mullen has been provisionally suspended since mid-January, when it was revealed his A-sample tested positive, and the NRL statement said he “now has the opportunity to respond to the matters raised in the Notice of Alleged Anti-Doping Rule Violations”.
The governing body did not provide a time frame for a resolution and added that there would be no further comment “while this process is under way”.
Knights chief executive Matt Gidley issued a statement, in which he said: "We obviously remain disappointed with what has transpired but we will continue to respect the process and monitor Jarrod's welfare.’’
Mullen has battled a chronic hamstring injury in recent seasons, which twice last year required major surgery.
The 211-game stalwart was contracted until the end of 2018, on a deal reported to be worth in the vicinity of $750,000 a year.
He has continued to be paid while awaiting his sentence but faces the sack once his suspension has been confirmed.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said last month he was saddened by the situation.
""Anyone who loses a career, it's disappointing for them, and ultimately disappointing for the game. But there are always consequences for poor decisions," Greenberg said.
"We do a huge amount of education and players need to make good choices."
