ANDY CLARK/Reuters
A pair of Bishop's University football players has been suspended for two years as a result of anti-doping violations.
The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports announced Wednesday that Luca Urbani and Vincent Plourde had each been given a two-year sanction following an out-of-competition drug test.
Urbani, a second-year fullback, refused to submit a sample to testers on March 24. A refusal is considered a positive result. A week later, Plourde, a first-year receiver, admitted he had used the banned substance stanozolol. After Urbani's refusal, additional tests were carried out on Bishop's football players.
Forty-nine athletes underwent urine tests with 22 of those also having blood tests. All other tests have reported negative.
"We are disappointed by the actions of these (two) players, as that conduct is unacceptable in our football program," Gaiters' head coach Kevin Mackey said in a statement. "We hold our program to the highest possible standards, and have no place for those who would consider using performance-enhancing drugs or attempting to circumvent the CCES testing procedures."
The CCES said both athletes waived their right to a hearing and accepted their sanction. The two football players are ineligible to participate in any capacity with any sport signatory to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP), including training with teammates.
"We have zero tolerance for drug use in sport, and have always fully supported the Canadian Anti-Doping Program," stated Bishop's interim Athletic Director Joey Sabo. "We supported the expansion of enforcement efforts in 2010, and have co-operated fully with the CCES throughout this process. While we are pleased that we have returned 65 negative results, this episode tells us that we must redouble our drug education efforts for our student-athletes in the years to come."
Two years ago, Canadian Interuniversity Sport experienced a widespread drug problem at Waterloo after school officials subjected the entire football team, more than 60 players, to an unannounced drug test. Several players were banned. One is still facing charges for possession of anabolic steroids with the intent to traffic.