Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of the Football Australia Anti-Doping Tribunal to sanction athlete Joseph Lawless for the presence of a metabolite of a prohibited substance and the use of a prohibited substance.
Mr Lawless returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an in-competition doping control test after a Y-League match at Leichhardt Oval on 25 January 2020.
His sample detected the presence of Di-Hydroxy LGD-4033 (metabolite of LGD-4033).
LGD-4033 is prohibited in and out-of-competition under the S1 Class of Anabolic Agents.
The Football Australia Anti-Doping Tribunal imposed a 3½ year ban on Mr Lawless commencing on 25 January 2020.
Mr Lawless will be eligible to return to competition on 25 July 2023.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE
LGD-4033, originally developed for the treatment of muscle wasting conditions such as aging, osteoporosis, muscular dystrophy and cancer, is promoted as a selective non-steroidal anabolic agent.
It is claimed to be a substance that induces muscle (and bone) growth without the side effects associated with steroid use. However, information on the safety of LGD-4033 is scarce due to a lack of medium and long-term clinical trials - hence the medium and long-term health impacts are unknown.
It should be noted that a number of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) have associated health-risks, particularly for the heart and liver.
Sport Integrity Australia is committed to protecting the right of clean athletes to fair competition. If you are aware of any suspicious doping activity, you can report it anonymously via the Sport Integrity Australia website
