RFL seek Cullen explanation

Thursday 18th February 2010

The Rugby Football League have asked former Warrington coach Paul Cullen to explain his claim that the Terry Newton drugs case is "the tip of the iceberg".

Former Great Britain hooker Newton, 31, on Wednesday became the second high-profile Super League player to be suspended by the RFL after failing a doping test. The former Wigan player was the subject of a random test during pre-season training with Wakefield, and he could face a two-year ban if found guilty.

But Widnes coach Cullen insisted the League could do more to stamp out what he believes is a growing problem in the sport, and told Wednesday night's Sky Boots and All programme: "I've been involved in this game for many, many years and unfortunately I think these type of issues are only the tip of the iceberg." The League have now told Cullen to "put up or shut up" and insist that drug use is not rife in the game.

"We are writing to Paul Cullen asking him to explain his comments on Boots and All," said RFL communications manager Craig Spence.

"We are asking him if he knows of any players taking drugs and to give us the evidence. We will then investigate the cases.

"If he can't do that, then we'll ask him to retract his comments."

Spence said rugby league is the third most tested sport behind football and athletics, adding: "By March 31 we will have tested 628 athletes in 12 months and we have found only four positive cases.

"Next year we will test about 650 players. In the last two years we have only had nine positive cases, so we don't think the problem of drugs is rife in our sport."

Newton's former Wigan team-mate Gareth Hock was banned for two years last August after testing positive for cocaine, while Championship players Andrew Brocklehurst and Dean Gaskell have also failed drugs tests.