Former Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers star Hardaker hit with 14-month ban

Hardaker will be available to return to rugby league in November, 14 months after testing positive for cocaine.

The 2015 Man of Steel admitted taking the banned substance before Tigers’ win over Rhinos in the Betfred Super-8s last year. He was suspended for the Grand Final, when Castleford were beaten by Leeds.

Sacked by Tigers in February, he is now being strongly linked with a move to Wigan Warriors.

Players including former Tigers stand-off Rangi Chase and Gareth Hock, an ex-Wigan forward now at Featherstone Rovers, have in the past been handed a two-year ban for cocaine use.

But a national anti-doping panel hearing decided that “as a result of a number of exceptional circumstances, the 26-year- old former England player bore no significant fault” for the offence and that led to them reducing the punishment.

The no significant fault ruling is based on the fact there was no question of the drug boosting Hardaker’s playing performance.

The anti-doping panel’s report reveals Hardaker went drinking after training on September 6 last year, which was the anniversary of a distressing personal incident.

He drank six to seven pints of lager and shared a litre of vodka and litre of whisky, before drinking spirits and then being offered cocaine.

Hardaker gave evidence at the hearing and insisted he did not normally drink during the week or take drugs.

A statement from Hardaker’s solicitors Chadwick Lawrence said: “We believe the correct verdict has been returned and we would like to thank the Tribunal for their professionalism.

“This was a truly exceptional case, where the drug use was never linked to performance enhancement.

“In this regard Zak would never take any substance to achieve an unfair advantage and we are pleased that the decision of the Tribunal has recognised this fact.

“He was commended by the Tribunal for his impressive comprehensive evidence and the fact that he made no attempt to downplay his conduct and was utterly frank with them.

“The last two years have been an extremely difficult period for Zak who, away from the public eye, has bravely battled a number of personal traumas.

“Zak has asked for privacy at this time but thanked his family and close friends for helping him through this difficult period.”

UK Anti-Doping chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: “Regardless of how it got there, every athlete is solely responsible for what is in their system and must adhere to the strict liability principle.

“They must ensure that they take the appropriate steps to manage the risk at all times.”