Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Bath feel 'let down' by Stevens

Matt Stevens
Stevens had been selected for England's Six Nations elite squad

Bath say they feel "let down" by Matt Stevens after his public admission that he failed a drugs test.

England prop Stevens, 26, confessed to having problems with a "very serious substance", which he said was not performance-enhancing.

Stevens has been suspended by the club and thrown out of England's training squad ahead of the Six Nations.

Bath chief executive Bob Calleja said he was "absolutely shocked" by the player's admission.

606: DEBATE
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South African-born Stevens, who has 32 England caps, will face a disciplinary hearing and could receive a two-year ban.

Stevens tested positive after Bath's Heineken Cup game against Glasgow last month.

His club ban means the player will miss Bath's vital clash against Toulouse on Sunday in the same competition.

Calleja said: "I was absolutely shocked. It is devastating news, something we could have done without. We all feel let down."

He added: "This week should have been all about the anticipation of a classic winner-takes-all match at the Rec.

"Instead, the headlines have been dominated by Matt Stevens."

Stevens has not revealed what he had taken, but said he took the drug while out with friends and that his use of the substance had become a problem.

He has already been attending drug counselling sessions.

It's really about how Matt deals with this issue, because it is an addiction, it is an illness
Former Bath and England prop Gareth Chilcott
Former Bath and England prop Gareth Chilcott told BBC Radio 5 Live that Stevens had to learn a lesson.

Chilcott said: "Other sports have proven that sportsmen can come back from a drug issue.

"But it's really about how Matt deals with this issue, because it is an addiction, it is an illness, and let's hope he gets some help. But there's no room for drugs in sport."

Stevens admitted in an emotional television interview: "I want to say I truly am very sorry. I want to change my life and hopefully one day get the faith back that people had in me."

Under World Anti-Doping Agency regulations, sanctions can range between a warning and a one-year ban - if the athlete can fully establish the use of a banned substance was not intended to enhance sporting performance.

Stevens' troubles shocks Bath chairman

Former Bath and England centre Jeremy Guscott said Stevens could benefit from his admission.

"He has come out and admitted his problems and is seeking help and is getting counselling," he said.

Professional Rugby Players' Association chief executive Damian Hopley said he was shocked by the news.

"We will do everything we can to provide Matt with the support he needs at this very difficult time," he said.

Stevens joined Bath in September 2002 and played in all of England's games at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.

Away from rugby he is best known as the runner-up in a celebrity version of The X Factor in 2006, raising £125,000 for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.

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