WORLD RUGBY ANTI-DOPING REGULATION

HTTPS://WWW.WORLD.RUGBY/ORGANISATION/GOVERNANCE/REGULATIONS/REG-21

THE SLOVENIAN RUGBY UNION HAS ENDORSED AND ADOPTED THE WORLD RUGBY ANTI-DOPING RULES AS A WAY OF ENSURING THAT WE KEEP RUGBY CLEAN.

WORLD RUGBY ANTI-DOPING RULES

https://www.world.rugby/organisation/governance/regulations/reg-21

INTRODUCTION

i. Preface

These Anti-Doping Rules are adopted and implemented in accordance with World Rugby’s responsibilities under the Code, and in furtherance of World Rugby’s continuing efforts to eradicate doping in rugby.

These Anti-Doping Rules are sport rules governing the conditions under which rugby is played. Aimed at enforcing anti-doping rules in a global and harmonized manner, they are distinct in nature from criminal and civil laws. They are not intended to be subject to or limited by any national requirements and legal standards applicable to criminal or civil proceedings, although they are intended to be applied in a manner which respects the principles of proportionality and human rights. When reviewing the facts and the law of a given case, all courts, arbitral tribunals and other adjudicating bodies should be aware of and respect the distinct nature of these Anti-Doping Rules, which implement the Code, and the fact that these rules represent the consensus of a broad spectrum of stakeholders around the world as to what is necessary to protect and ensure fair sport.

As provided in the Code, World Rugby shall be responsible for conducting all aspects of Doping Control. Any aspect of Doping Control or anti-doping Education may be delegated by World Rugby to a Delegated Third Party, however, World Rugby shall require the Delegated Third Party to perform such aspects in compliance with the Code, International Standards, and these Anti-Doping Rules. World Rugby shall always remain fully responsible for ensuring that any delegated aspects are performed in compliance with the Code. Unless otherwise specified, references to Regulations are references to Regulations of these Anti-Doping Rules.

II. FUNDAMENTAL RATIONALE FOR THE CODE AND WORLD RUGBY’S ANTI-DOPING RULES

Anti-doping programmes seek to protect the health of Players and to provide the opportunity for Players to pursue human excellence without the Use of Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods.

Anti-doping programmes seek to maintain the integrity of sport in terms of respect for rules, other competitors, fair competition, a level playing field, and the value of clean sport to the world.

The spirit of sport is the celebration of the human spirit, body, and mind. It is the essence of Olympism, the values of rugby, and the pursuit of human excellence through the dedicated perfection of each person’s natural talents. It is how we play true and Keep Rugby Clean. This is reflected in rugby’s values:

Integrity
Respect
Solidarity
Passion
Discipline

Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport and the values of rugby.

World Rugby adopted the World Anti-Doping Code (“Code”) in June 2004. Following an international review of the Code by all Signatories a new World Anti-Doping Code 2021 has been agreed with an effective implementation date of 1 January 2021.

All provisions of the Code are mandatory in substance. The mandatory provisions and principles of the Code have been adopted and incorporated into the revised World Rugby Regulation 21.

III. SCOPE OF THESE ANTI-DOPING RULES

These Anti-Doping Rules shall apply to:

World Rugby, including its Council members, directors, officers, and specified employees, and Delegated Third Parties and their employees, who are involved in any aspect of Doping Control;
each Union, Association, Tournament Organiser, including their board members, directors, officers, and specified employees, and Delegated Third Parties and their employees, who are involved in any aspect of Doping Control;
the following Players, Player Support Personnel, and other Persons:
all Players and Player Support Personnel who are members of any Union, Association, Tournament Organiser or of any member or affiliate organisation of any Union and/or Association (including any Clubs, Teams, Rugby Bodies, associations or leagues);
all Players and Player Support Personnel who participate in such capacity in Events, Competitions and other activities organised, convened, authorized or recognised by World Rugby, or any Union, Association, Tournament Organiser, or by any member or affiliate organisation of any Union and/or Association (including any Clubs, Teams, Rugby Bodies,, associations, or leagues), wherever held;
any other Player or Player Support Personnel or other Person who, by virtue of an accreditation, a registration or other contractual arrangement, or otherwise, is subject to the authority of World Rugby or of any Union, Association, Tournament Organiser or of any member or affiliate organisation of any Union and/or Association (including any Clubs, Teams, Rugby Bodies, associations, or leagues), for the purposes of anti-doping;
Players who are not regular members of World Rugby or of one of its Unions but who want to be eligible to compete in a Match, Competition or Event (and subject to Regulation 16).

Each of the above-mentioned Persons is deemed, as a condition of his or her participation or involvement in the sport, to have agreed to and be bound by these Anti-Doping Rules, and to have submitted to the authority of World Rugby to enforce these Anti-Doping Rules, including any Consequences for the breach thereof, and to the jurisdiction of the hearing panels specified in Regulation 21.8 and 21.13 to hear and determine cases and appeals brought under these Anti-Doping Rules.^[1]

Within the overall pool of Players set out above who are bound by and required to comply with these Anti-Doping Rules, the following Players shall be considered to be International-Level Players for the purposes of these Anti-Doping Rules, and, therefore, the specific provisions in these Anti-Doping Rules applicable to International-Level Players (e.g., Testing, TUEs, whereabouts, and Results Management) shall apply to such Players:

International-Level Players are those Players designated by World Rugby as being within its Registered Testing Pool and/or Testing Pool(s) and/or who are otherwise participating in a World Rugby Event(s) and/or Competition(s).