𝐁𝐎𝐌𝐁𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤/𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝟑 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟…..𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞

In a stunning development that has rocked the rugby league world, Penrith Panthers star halfback and captain Nathan Cleary has been banned from all competition for three years after testing positive for a banned performance‑enhancing substance, the sport’s governing anti‑doping authority announced today.

The National Rugby League’s (NRL) Integrity Unit confirmed that Cleary returned an adverse analytical finding from a routine in‑competition urine test conducted following Penrith’s Round X victory earlier this season.

According to the provisional statement, the substance detected — classified under the World Anti‑Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List — triggered an automatic suspension under international anti‑doping rules. Final confirmation of the positive test came after Cleary’s “B‑sample” returned the same result.

Cleary, 27, has been stripped of all individual awards and match results from the date of the sample collection, and will be ineligible for selection in domestic or international rugby league until early 2029.

In a short statement released through his management, the five‑time premiership winner said he is “devastated” by the outcome and “firmly denies intentionally breaching anti‑doping regulations,” pledging to mount an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Penrith Panthers released a separate statement saying the club is “shocked and deeply disappointed” by the news. The club added it will fully support the NRL’s anti‑doping process and allow Cleary the opportunity to present his case.

📉 Impact on the NRL

Cleary’s suspension is the biggest doping story in rugby league history — eclipsing past bans and throwing Penrith’s premiership defence into chaos. The Panthers sit atop the NRL ladder, but will now be without their captain and field general for the next three seasons.

Several sponsors are said to be reviewing their contracts with Cleary, and the NRL has urged calm as processes continue. Officials reiterated that everyone is innocent until appeals are exhausted.

The rugby league community has reacted with shock and dismay, with some former players calling for stricter education on anti‑doping compliance.