Leeds Rhinos hooker Paul Aiton has revealed that he is still unsure about whether he faces a suspension following a doping investigation in Australia, saying that until he hears anything, he is going to carry on as normal.
Aiton is embroiled in the saga surrounding Cronulla Sharks and their controversial 2011 supplements program – which saw 12 of his ex-teammates issued with three-month suspensions from doping agency ASADA.
However, Aiton was not offered any such ban, and is staring down the barrel of a potential two-year ban from the sport should ASADA decide to impose such a suspension.
The Papua New Guinea international however, says he is still waiting to hear about any potential ban, and says he’s just trying to concentrate on pre-season with the Rhinos.
“It is the same story,” he told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “I am just waiting to hear back from Australia. Until then it is just business as usual and let’s get on with it.
“I received an email, which I responded to and I am just waiting for the next step.
“I can’t really do anything until I hear back. It has been going on a long time and it is always in the back of your mind.
“But every time you think about it you’ve just got to try and snap yourself out of it and think about the year coming and training and getting yourself prepared mentally and physically for the next season.
“But it is always there, behind you.”