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Ben Barba and Colombian Marching Powder

Messages
8,666
THE Cronulla Sharks grand final celebrations have been shattered with revelations superstar fullback Ben Barba has tested positive to cocaine and faces a 12-week suspension from the beginning of next season.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Barba was tested four days after the grand final victory over Melbourne Storm as the players celebrated the club’s first ever premiership after 50 years in the competition.

Barba and the club were notified by the NRL of the positive result two weeks ago. It is the second time he has tested positive to recreational drugs.

The Sharks are supporting the superstar fullback, who is about to leave the country to get treatment at a Thailand rehabilitation centre.

Under the NRL drugs policy, a second strike means an automatic 12-match suspension althouygh there were suggestions last night Barba would be lodging an appeal.

Barba spent yesterday in Cronulla with his partner Ainslie and young family. They were spotted walking along the Cronulla esplanade before he flies out in the next 48 hours.

He will be accompanied by the Sharks’ welfare officer Shane Smith.

The former Bulldogs and Broncos fullback previously spent time in rehab in 2013 to deal with anger issues and a gambling addiction.

It was thought he had turned his life around at the Sharks this season where he returned to the form that saw him become Dally M champion in 2012.

A spokesman for the NRL declined to comment last night when asked if the integrity unit was handling Barba’s case.

In September The Daily Telegraph revealed all NRL clubs and players had been warned of a Mad Monday blitz on party drugs as hundreds of footy stars began their end-of-season celebrations.

“Players should be particularly aware that they are subject to testing in the period immediately following their team’s elimination from the competition, including after end-of-season celebrations and the like,” said integrity unit boss Nick Weeks says in an email to all the clubs.

He added: “This is a risk period for players and clubs so please take this opportunity to remind players about the league’s expectations (and the rules) in relation to illicit drugs.”

Cronulla chief executive Lyall Gorman was unavailable for comment late last night.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...&utm_source=DailyTelegraph&utm_medium=Twitter

Cocaine is a hellva drug
 

AJB1102

First Grade
Messages
6,339
If you didn't at least wanna rack up a couple lines after the best GF that ever was or ever will be then IMO there is something wrong with you.

If Benny wants a sniff to celebrate after a hard year's work having done an outstanding job who can deny him that? Now he has to go get sloshed in Thailand for a month to make everything look hunky-dory.

If the conspiracy around how Greenburg covered up his indiscretions at the Bulldogs is true then I imagine Ben will be okay. Wouldn't want him talking.
 

Apey

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
28,279
Yeah I'm sure they're shattered after breaking a 50 year drought and partying it up deluxe.

Barba gets to party on and have another holiday too.
 

I Bleed Maroon

Referee
Messages
26,141
When the news days come for the NRL, they cum heavy.

Barba plays it on that he's reformed then as soon as he wins the premiership, he reckons the shackles are off and he can devolve into a tool again.
 

butchmcdick

Post Whore
Messages
52,053
I blame the media, society and would like to point out the difference between the NRL and AFL's drug policies

Also Ben won a grand final, normal rules should be suspended

Anything but blaming a player who has had multiple and frequent education about using illegal drugs in the course of his employment

It just can't be ben's fault

It's a conspiracy against the Sharks

It's not his go
 

Lemon Squash

First Grade
Messages
8,232
Sorry for the noob question but what is the difference between Barba who is getting 12 weeks to Sailor who got 2 years?

I understand he was contracted by the ARU but I thought the NRL fell under the same laws?
 

TheDalek079

Bench
Messages
4,432
nobody likes Sailor so they decided to give him a bigger sentence. But Benji Barba is really cool because he just helped the Sharks to their first premiership so they're giving him a slap on the wrist
 

aarondoyle

Juniors
Messages
1,011
Benny, Benny, Benny.

I know it's not fair you can't be like other people. I know it's not fair to be held to higher standards than the average person. I know it's not fair to have your personal life probed and invaded... But f**k.

You get paid a lot of money. You have to be good during your playing years - period. If you don't want to, stop banking the huge cheques and get a real job.

Unfortunately with the rules that are there, you have two options: No drugs, no drunken antics, no controversial social media posts; or get another job.
 

shaggs

Coach
Messages
11,146
nobody likes Sailor so they decided to give him a bigger sentence. But Benji Barba is really cool because he just helped the Sharks to their first premiership so they're giving him a slap on the wrist
In competition and out of competition.
 

Generalzod

Immortal
Messages
33,941
Benny, Benny, Benny.

I know it's not fair you can't be like other people. I know it's not fair to be held to higher standards than the average person. I know it's not fair to have your personal life probed and invaded... But f**k.

You get paid a lot of money. You have to be good during your playing years - period. If you don't want to, stop banking the huge cheques and get a real job.

Unfortunately with the rules that are there, you have two options: No drugs, no drunken antics, no controversial social media posts; or get another job.

As if it doesnt happen in other occupations..
 

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