In a stunning development for the NRL community, the Penrith Panthers have confirmed that star forward Liam Martin has been provisionally suspended from all rugby league activities after returning a positive drug test.
According to an official statement released Friday morning, Martin tested positive to a banned performance-enhancing substance during routine in-competition testing conducted under the NRL’s Anti-Doping Policy. The substance has not yet been publicly disclosed pending further investigation and B-sample analysis.
The club stated:
> “The Penrith Panthers have been notified that Liam Martin has returned an adverse analytical finding. As per NRL and WADA protocols, he has been provisionally suspended from all training and match participation effective immediately.”
Martin, one of Penrith’s most influential forwards and a key member of their premiership-winning core, is reportedly cooperating fully with investigators. His management team indicated they are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the result and have not ruled out the possibility of supplement contamination.
The National Rugby League confirmed the matter has been referred to Sport Integrity Australia for further assessment. If the B-sample confirms the finding, Martin could face a suspension ranging from several months to multiple years depending on the substance and whether intent can be established.
The suspension comes as a significant blow to Penrith’s premiership campaign, with Martin widely regarded as one of the competition’s premier edge forwards and a regular representative player.
Further updates are expected in the coming days as testing procedures are finalised and formal charges, if any, are determined.
This is a developing story.
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