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Racing brand doping probe a 'pseudo affair' as Dan Carter is cleared

French anti-doping authorities have ended their investigation into corticosteroid use ahead of the Top 14 final last year.

FRENCH CLUB RACING 92 issued confirmation yesterday that New Zealand star Dan Carter and two of his team-mates have been definitively cleared of wrongdoing in a doping probe.

Racing 92’s Joe Rokocoko and Dan Carter Inpho / Billy Stickland Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland

Carter, fellow former All Black Joe Rokocoko and Argentinian winger Juan Imhoff were the target of an investigation after testing positive for corticosteroids following last season’s Top 14 final.

However, they had already been found innocent by the medical commission of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) in October and now the French Anti-doping Agency’s announcement brings the affair to a close.

“We are delighted with the decision rendered by the French Anti-doping Agency,” said Racing in a statement.

This whole pseudo-affair has cast scorn on our players and our club, partly ruining the start of our season.

“The innocence of Dan, Juan and Joe merits the same degree of attention as the suspicions they had been placed under.”

The original dope tests, ordered by the French anti-doping agency (AFLD), found traces of corticosteroids, which can be used against pain, inflammation or allergies.

Dan Carter James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

The substance is illegal when taken orally or injected in either the blood or muscle, unless accompanied by a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

Racing had always denied all wrongdoing, saying the substance was administered by an “authorised method” several days before last June’s Top 14 final — in which Racing beat Toulon in Barcelona — and there was no need for a TUE.

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