Subject :Dan Carters agent has rejected any implication his client has been involved in doping after a report
Dan Carters agent has rejected any implication his client has been involved in doping after a report in France claimed he - and Joe Rokocoko - had tested positive for steroids. Tashaun Gipson Jersey . LEquipe reported late on Thursday that the former New Zealand internationals failed a drug test after their club Racing 92 beat Toulon in the French Top 14 final in Barcelona on June 24.Their Argentine team-mate Juan Imhoff was also involved in the operation carried out by French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD), according to the paper. However, Carters management company, Essentially Group, which also represents Rokocoko, says it is relaxed about the situation because Racings club doctor had filled in all the required documents.Simon Porter, an Auckland-based player agent with the group, said this meant they had a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) allowing them to use the corticosteroid medication.We were reassured that there was nothing to worry about, that there was no wrongdoing, that there was no case to answer for, he told TVNZ.Its just a therapeutic use, cortisone is a common drug used to treat pain and inflammation.Porter added that the players had been blindsided by the news being leaked.The boys had been told that they had nothing to worry about. Theyre not enjoying the attention but theyre pretty relaxed about it all because theyre confident that everything is in order and everything is fine, he said. Joe Rokococo has also been named by LEquipe Fly-half Carter, who has played 112 Tests for New Zealand, was recovering from a calf injury ahead of the Top 14 final, while Rokocoko, a winger who represented New Zealand 68 times, had a knee problem.Corticosteroids are generally used to reduce inflammation.LEquipe said that once alerted by the AFLD, the French Rugby Federation had 40 days to investigate the trio, who all played major roles in Racings upset 29-21 win over Toulon.If the probe fails to find a medical reason for the corticosteroid use, then they could face disciplinary action.However, Racings statement in response to the story appeared to indicate TUEs were not in place, with the club confident they were not required.The statement read: All the medical acts carried out on the players cited by the media have been in total respect of national and international anti-doping rules, as well as in the sense of administrative and medical procedures.It is treatment administered in an authorised manner, provided in response to proven pathologies, several days before the Top 14 final and not needing a TUE.Racing 92 will collaborate with all the relevant medical investigative authorities in order for the debate to subside and so everyone is given a full understanding.All the medical protocols are clear. Transparency will be total. Were on the side of those who fight for a clean and respectful sport.Juan Imhoff, Joe Rokocoko and Dan Carter are everyday examples of behaviour, generosity and ethics.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Jones risked player welfare Smiths tearful apology Naholo returns for All Blacks Training injuries will happen Brandon Linder Jersey . LOUIS -- The Atlanta Braves used a two-run rally in the ninth to end their road trip with a win. Marqise Lee Jersey . Paul George and Darren Collison each scored 17 points and Roy Hibbert added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers (9-3), who won their third straight. ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons began a major overhaul Tuesday after a dismal season, signing three linemen at the start of free agency, re-signing defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, and cutting former Pro Bowl safety Thomas DeCoud. Needing to bulk up on both sides of the line, the Falcons agreed to terms with guard Jon Asamoah, defensive end Tyson Jackson and defensive tackle Paul Soliai. Asamoah and Jackson played last season with Kansas City, where Asamoah lost his starting job. They were familiar to former Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who was hired in January as Atlantas assistant GM. The 345-pound Soliai spent seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins, including two seasons under Mike Nolan, now the defensive co-ordinator of the Falcons. "They are good football players and solid in many ways," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a conference call. "They add to the toughness, the size and the grittiness of our team. That was a goal we had set out at the beginning of the off-season to accomplish." Terms of the new contracts were not released, but Soliai reportedly received a five-year deal worth $33 million, with $14 million guaranteed, while Jackson got a five-year deal worth up to $25 million. "Paul has played for coach Nolan in Miami and is familiar with our scheme, and Tyson is a good football player that will fit with what we want to do defensively as well," Falcons coach Mike Smith said in a statement. "Jon is a physical, experienced offensive lineman that will add a veteran presence to our offensive line." The Falcons made re-signing Babineaux a top priority, not wanting to take another hit up front before delving into free agency. A nine-year veteran, Babineaux had 49 tackles, two fumble recoveries, a sack and a forced fumble last season. Overall, he has played 138 career games for Atlanta, with 108 starts. "Remaining an Atlanta Falcon and in Atlanta as my home were the best decisions for me and my family," said Babineaux, who agreed to a three-year contract. DeCoud, a third-round pick of the Falcons in 2008, was a leader on the Falcons defence two years ago when the team came up one victory short of the Super Bowl. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection. But DeCouds production dropped significantly last season as quarterbacks lit up the secondary and the Falcons plummeted to 4-12 for their first losing season since 2007. He was the second starter reeleased from that unit, following cornerback Asante Samuel. A.J. Bouye Jersey. "The search for a safety that will help us in our quest to be a more established and consistent defence was at the forefront of this decision," Dimitroff said. In other moves, the Falcons re-signed centre Joe Hawley, who made seven starts in 2013 after Peter Konz lost the job, and offensive lineman Mike Johnson, who was expected to contend for a starting job a year ago but went down in training camp with a season-ending injury. In a procedural move, Atlanta formally released tight end Tony Gonzalez, who retired at the end of last season and has already taken a job as a television commentator. "This was a decision we had to make with the start of the new league year as we begin retooling our roster for 2014," Dimitroff said. "On behalf of the entire Falcons organization, we wish Tony all the best in his television career and thank him for everything he did for this franchise." Asamoah was a third-round pick in 2010 by the Chiefs. He fell out of favour with coach Andy Reid and was benched last season in favour of journeyman Geoff Schwartz. Still, the Falcons feel he can stabilize the right guard position, which has been a major issue for several years. Atlanta cut Garrett Reynolds, who made 10 starts at that position last season before he was replaced by Konz, who had flopped at centre. The line must do a better job protecting quarterback Matt Ryan, who was sacked 44 times, and opening up holes for a running game that ranked last in the league at just 77.9 yards per game. Jackson was the third overall pick in the 2009 draft out of LSU, but never had a breakout year with the Chiefs. He did have a career-high four sacks in 2013, so the Falcons hope hes ready to make a more prominent impact. Atlanta is desperate to get more outside pressure on opposing quarterbacks after notching just 32 sacks last season; only two teams had fewer. Soliai played in 99 games with the Dolphins, including 62 starts. Last season, he had 34 tackles with one sack, one forced fumble and five passes defenced. He played under Nolan in 2010 and 2011, earning his first career Pro Bowl selection in the latter season. With big holes remaining in the secondary and at tight end, plus the draft coming up, Dimitroff said there is plenty of work left to do. "We will continue to add in every direction to fix this team," he said. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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