Former Cardiff Blues player took banned substance to buff up ahead of marriage proposal
A former Cardiff Blues lock has received a two-year ban for testing positive for a substance associated with steroid use.
Miles Normandale, then of Cardiff RFC, has been suspended from all sport for a period of two years following the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
He claims to have taken the substance before an opportunity had presented itself for him to return to the sport in a professional capacity after an injury had all but ended his career.
Normandale played both professionally and on semi-professional level for Cardiff Blues, Rotherham Titans and Cardiff RFC.
On 17 November 2017 during a match for Cardiff RFC against Cross Keys RFC he suffered an injury to an ankle. Initially it was thought that he had sprained the ankle, but by early January 2018 it had become apparent that the injury was much more serious.
He required surgery, and on 29 January 2018 he underwent a right ankle arthroscopy and syndesmosis stabilisation. At around this time Normandale’s contract with Cardiff RFC was terminated since he had not been able to play for over six weeks; he received his final payment from Cardiff RFC on 31 January 2018.
The then 27-year-old was assigned to Southmead University Hospital for post-operative physiotherapy. He made slow progress and remained in pain with his ankle still swollen. However, he made a gradual, if slow, recovery with the metalwork in his ankle being surgically removed on 4 July 2018. Despite some complication by way of infection, the forward continued to build up his strength with gym sessions some 3-4 times a week.
It was in August 2018 that he told UKAD that he was contacted out of the blue by Cardiff RFC who enquired if he would be willing to return to playing rugby. Normandale’s evidence was that he had for some months thought his rugby playing days were over, but by August 2018 he was attracted by the idea of returning to semiprofessional rugby with Cardiff RFC and did so.
He signed a new contract dated 15 August 2018 and returned to training. His first match was against Newport RFC on 15 September 2018.
On 20 September 2018 Normandale was subject to a random urine and blood test by a UKAD Doping Control Officer during a Cardiff RFC training session. The urine test was found to be positive for Clomifene, a Prohibited Substance specified under S4 of the WADA Prohibited List as an anti-estrogenic substance.
It is a Specified Substance, and it is prohibited at all times, both in and out of competition. Although the blood test gave no positive result, UKAD were told in evidence that blood is not regularly tested for Clomifene.
Following the positive result, he was provisionally suspended.
Clomifene has a medical use for the stimulation of ovulation in women, but it has no established clinical indication for men. It is however used unofficially by anabolic steroid users to counteract the production of estrogen in males due to steroid abuse.
Giving evidence, the lock forward was the principal witness on his own behalf.
He explained that he wanted to improve his physique on a trip to Australia during which he intended to propose to his girlfriend, and a friend recommended Clomifene as a way of boosting testosterone. The friend gave him a week’s supply of, he thinks, 50 mg tablets of a brand called Serpafar at the beginning of April. He said that he took one 50mg tablet a day for seven days from 9 to 15 April, which was the week before he left for Australia and that was all the Clomifene he ever took.
He said that by this time he thought his rugby playing days were over. He had not played for many months following his ankle injury, his contract with Cardiff RFC had been terminated, and he had decided in consultation with his family no longer to undergo the physical risk of returning to rugby.
Rather, he hoped to concentrate on his tattooing career. According to the judgement, on 20 September 2018 Normandale was “undoubtedly subject” to the jurisdiction of the Welsh Rugby Union.
UKAD’s Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead, said: “Athletes at all levels of sport must adhere to the principle of strict liability at all times.
“Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs) can remain in the body for a significant period of time so, regardless of whether an athlete is going through injury rehabilitation, taking a break from sport or actively competing, they must always be aware of the consequences of any substances they are putting into their systems.”
The period of ineligibility shall apply from the date of sample collection (20 September 2018) until midnight on 19 September 2020.
– source UKAD
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments