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Rugby League

Two-year ban for Richie Barnett after positive drugs test

06/03/2008

Former Hull FC and Warrington Wolves winger Richie Barnett has been banned from playing rugby until 2010.

The two-year ban from the RFL comes after the 26-year-old tested positive for a "banned substance" in an engage Super League match last season.

A statement on the RFL website said Barnett "provided a sample which was found to contain an elevated estosterone/epitestosterone ratio while playing for Warrington against Salford City Reds last April".

The message explained the two-year ban, which takes effect from his February 15th hearing, is in line with World Anti-Doping Agency embargoes.

The banned substance that has landed Barnett with a lengthy suspension was at the centre of the drugs scandal that rocked the Tour de France in 2006.

Barnett, who began his career at Gateshead after catching the eye for Great Britain students, scored 36 tries in 62 engage Super League appearances for Hull and Warrington.

He also had a loan spell at Widnes Vikings in 2005 and finished last season at relegated Salford, but has not been signed up by a new club since being released.