The Georgian Rugby Union has issued a statement following World Rugby’s decision regarding anti-doping rule violations within the Georgian national team ahead of the 2023 World Cup in France. The Union accepted World Rugby’s ruling and, in addition to a fine, committed to reforming its anti-doping education system.
“From the first day of the process, the Georgian Rugby Union has cooperated fully and transparently with World Rugby. As part of the anti-doping education reform, intensive work is already underway, and enhanced preventive measures have been implemented.
The Georgian Rugby Union takes full responsibility for improving anti-doping processes in Georgian rugby and is doing everything possible to ensure that rugby in Georgia is clean, transparent, and fully complies with World Rugby standards,” the statement reads.
Former Georgia national rugby team captain Merab Sharikadze received an 11-year ban for his involvement in a scheme that allowed players to bypass anti-doping tests. Five other national team players were also sanctioned alongside him.
Sharikadze, who led Georgia to a victory over Wales in 2022, admitted to providing “clean” urine samples to teammates for testing purposes.
