The UK anti-doping organization has launched an investigation into allegations that a senior Rugby Football League official has been involved in supplying recreational drugs to players.
Telegraph Sport has learned that UKAD began carrying out investigations last month after the RFL informed the anti-doping agency that they were investigating allegations they had received about a member of their own staff.
UKAD is in the process of gathering evidence after being cleared of allegations relating to the supply of drugs to up to six players.
The RFL official is alleged to have provided a range of people with a strong connection to the sport, including former and semi-professionals, as well as grassroots players and coaches.
The allegations are understood to come from a whistleblower who accused the RFL official of purchasing cocaine for personal use and arranging for the sale of the drug to players.
The RFL passed details of the allegations to UKAD because they involved an individual working in a professional sporting environment.
Rugby league has attracted considerable negative publicity in recent years due to drug use. Former Bradford Bulls winger David Foggin-Johnston was handed a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine last summer, following similar bans imposed on England internationals Zak Hardaker and Rangi Chase.
In addition to Foggin-Johnston, there are seven rugby league players serving UKAD sanctions for taking performance-enhancing drugs, but the view among many in the sport appears to be that recreational drugs are a much bigger problem.
Club owners have privately admitted that social drug use is a growing problem, with former Leigh Centurions prop Jamie Acton claiming it was endemic after he was banned following a positive cocaine test two years ago.
“You’re probably abnormal in the world of rugby league if you haven’t used drugs at some point, whether socially or performance-enhancing,” Acton said.