Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr will not be in attendance at his side’s first finals clash against Manly on Sunday, his manager confirmed.
It comes as a secondary drug test comes back positive despite the star’s repeated claims of innocence.
His manager, Mario Tartak, said while Addo-Carr wished to be present to support his teammates in the battle, he has opted to miss the clash to ensure his presence will not become a distraction.
“Josh is fully supportive of his teammates, but has chosen not to attend the game to ensure there are no distractions for the team and the club,” Addo-Carr’s agent, Mario Tartak, said.
“He will still be cheering them on in the hope they win the game and extend their season.”
Addo-Carr was pulled over in Wentworth Point last Friday night, and returned a positive initial roadside reading. A secondary sample was taken for further analysis.
NSW Police confirmed that the secondary test had also returned a positive reading to cocaine. Addo-Carr will accept the $682 fine and a three-month driving suspension which means he won’t have to front court.
“On Friday … Auburn Police received notification that the sample had been analysed and returned a positive reading to cocaine,” NSW Police said in a statement to Wide World of Sports.
The statement confirmed Addo-Carr, through his legal team, had been issued an infringement notice for drive motor vehicle with illicit drug present in oral fluid.
9News’ Danny Weidler reported Addo-Carr’s legal team received the result on Friday afternoon and released a short statement saying “we are dealing with the situation” and “will determine a path moving forward in due course”.
The Bulldogs also released a statement confirming Addo-Carr had been left a training session “to be with his manager”.
“The Bulldogs are committed to following the appropriate protocols with regards to the player’s contract and CBA and will work with the NRL Integrity unit, the player and his management team accordingly throughout further investigations,” the statement added.
“While we treat this issue with utmost seriousness, Josh’s welfare is our highest priority at this time.”
The statement indicated that no further action would be taken until further investigation.
Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould previously said Addo-Carr had maintained his innocence to club bosses.
Addo-Carr was permitted to drive from the scene after the roadside drug test in a confusing set of circumstances caused in part by the police being called away to attend a home invasion.
Despite the second positive test, Addo-Carr’s lawyer, Elias Tabchouri, claimed in The Sydney Morning Herald that the Bulldogs winger “has never knowingly ingested any illegal drugs”.
“Josh was issued with an infringement notice from NSW Police in relation to positive test results,” his lawyer said.
“This matter has had a dramatic impact on Josh and his family. It has also been a distraction from a significant game for his beloved Bulldogs.
“Despite the fact that Josh maintains he has never knowingly ingested any illegal drugs, he has decided to pay the infringement and bring this matter to an end legally.
“He appreciates all the support from the club, particularly the general manager, Phil Gould, and coach Cameron Ciraldo. Finally, he wishes to thank his family, management and his teammates and the fans for all their support.”
Speaking to media on earlier in the week, Gould did not rule out ripping up Addo-Carr’s contract if a positive result was returned.
But Gould confirmed Addo-Carr had undertaken an independent urine test of his own accord on Monday morning to prove his innocence. When that returned a negative reading Gould, too, was convinced.
“He’s completely zero. Negative to any drug we put on the list to get tested for. Absolutely no detection,” Gould said on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus on Wednesday morning.
“That rules out that he could’ve taken it maybe even Thursday or Friday. So the window gets even narrower if has allegedly taken a drug, for it to have appeared in his system on Friday night.
“We’re extremely confident Josh is telling us the truth, and that the roadside test is inaccurate.”
Addo-Carr’s Bulldogs teammates will take on Manly in an elimination final at Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The star winger stood himself down for that game and is now likely to face a further sanction from his club and the NRL.
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