Former All Blacks wing Joe Rokocoko says he found it difficult to live being associated with accusations of cheating.
All part of French Top 14 club Racing 92, Rokocoko, former All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter and Argentinian Juan Imhoff were this week cleared of any doping violation after tests in June last year found traces of corticosteroids in their systems.
The tests were carried out after the Top 14 final against Toulon, following a quarterfinal against Toulouse where Rokocoko injured an ankle and had to receive treatment.
“The process was endless and it wasn’t easy to live,” Rokocoko told French publication L’equipe.
“When your name is associated with cheating, here and in New Zealand, where more translation errors make you out to be accused of being on steroids, it’s hard.”
As long as they are granted a therapeutic use exemption, players are allowed to use corticosteroids. Racing 92 had always asserted that they had medical clearance to use the drugs.
Although pleased he and his team-mates had been cleared of any wrongdoing, Rokocoko said the issue of TUEs and corticosteroids in sport needed to be much clearer.
“It’s impossible to understand the rules around it,” he told L’equipe.
“It’s frustrating. Ideally I would like to know what is allowed or not, a simple line between black and white. We did everything according to procedure, but it’s not that simple.
“If I’m honest, I’m glad this has happened so that in the future, [the treatment we can and can't receive] will be clearer.”
Carter also spoke of his relief after the trio were cleared by the French Anti-Doping Agency on Monday (Tuesday NZ time), while Racing 92 posted at statement on the news.
“All this pseudo-business has cast a shadow over our players and our club by spoiling our start of the season.” the club said.
“Dan’s innocence, Juan and Joe deserve the same attention as the suspicions they were subjected to.”