Canterbury superstar Josh Addo-Carr faces an uncertain future after his second sample reportedly returned a positive result for cocaine.
The fallout from Addo-Carr’s alleged positive roadside test to cocaine took a new turn on Friday with multipe reports of the positive oral sample.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Josh Addo-Carr returns second positive test.
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The 29-year-old was pulled over on Friday night while driving in the Sydney suburb of Wentworth Point and allegedly returned a positive test.
He was then tested a second time, with the sample sent away for further analysis.
Addo-Carr told Bulldogs officials he is adamant he did not take cocaine in the lead up to last week’s test, and is at a loss to explain the positive test result.
He had stood himself down from playing this week.
Addo-Carr’s lawyer, Elias Tabchouri, said the police informed him of the positive result on Friday afternoon.
“Police informed our office this afternoon that the secondary test carried out by Josh Addo-Carr has returned a positive result,” Tabchouri said in a statement.
“We are dealing with the situation in conjunction with Josh and will determine a path moving forward in due course.”
The Bulldogs released a statement confirming the positive result.
“The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have been advised that NRL squad member Josh Addo-Carr has returned a positive result on the second sample taken on Friday night (September 6) at a NSW Police random roadside illicit drug test,” the club said.
“Josh has left training to be with his manager, Mario Tartak. The club is offering Josh appropriate support during this difficult period.
“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.
“While we treat this issue with utmost seriousness, Josh’s welfare is our highest priority at this time.
“We will not be making any further comment until more information is available to the club. We request that the privacy of Josh and his family be respected during this challenging time.
“In the meantime, our focus remains steadfast on preparation for Sunday’s match.”
7NEWS Sydney reporter Matt Carmichael said Addo-Carr could now face police charges.
“He will likely face driving offence charges and as for his NRL career, any punishment would only rest with the NRL and the Bulldogs, it’s not a Sports Integrity Australia issue,” he said.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo spoke about Addo-Carr before the news broke.
“He came back to training on Wednesday, had a good day and he’s all about helping the team now. He’s put the team first and the club first and we appreciate that and we’ll get on with it,” he said.
Canterbury general manager Phil Gould earlier this week suggested that if Addo-Carr’s secondary sample came back positive, his future at the club would fall under the spotlight.
“There are sanctions to that and precedence for that,” Gould said on Tuesday.
“If it came back positive, Josh would have to explain how it got in his system.
“Because he is adamant, and I mean vehemently adamant, that he has not taken the drugs.”