Bath Rugby

This week should have been all about the anticipation of classic winner-takes-all match at the Rec. Instead the headlines have been dominated by Matt Stevens.

The facts are these:

The Club was informed by ERC, the Heineken Cup organisers, on Monday evening that Matt had failed a drugs test of a sample taken after the Glasgow match on December 14th.

The Club immediately informed Matt of this and, in accordance with International Rugby Board regulations, suspended the player; such suspension to remain in force until the disciplinary process, as laid out in the ERC competition regulations, has been completed.

On Tuesday, Matt was interviewed by Sky Sports and admitted to having taken a banned recreational substance consistent with the findings of the drugs test.

Matt remains suspended from the Club pending the completion of disciplinary processes.

This is a very serious matter and the Club does not, and will not, condone the use of illegal recreational or performance-enhancing drugs by any of its employees.

But it must also ensure that disciplinary processes are fairly conducted and allowed to reach their proper conclusion.

Only then will the Club make another public statement on the matter.


Bob Calleja - Wednesday 21st January
CEO