NRL: U20 player banned for doping

SYDNEY - Manly under-20 player Shane Gray has been suspended for two years by the National Rugby League following a positive test to Clenbuterol, the anabolic agent which also cost Cronulla's Reni Maitua a ban.

The positive sample was collected in an Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) out-of-competition test in June and confirmed through subsequent sample analysis.

Gray has accepted the sanction, which has been imposed under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.

"He has made it clear that he has at no time sought to deliberately break the WADA code and remains unaware as to how the substance entered his system," an NRL statement said.

Gray has been provisionally suspended since June 18 and will next be eligible to play on June 19, 2011.

Maitua was also suspended for two years, in May this year.

- AAP