Leeds Rhinos have insisted they are confident hooker Paul Aiton will be available to play for them next season, but have said they are still waiting to hear whether he will face a suspension following ASADA’s investigation into the Cronulla Sharks.
Aiton played for the Sharks during their controversial supplements program of 2011, but has not been offered a backdated suspension like many of his Sharks teammates from that time.
However, Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington told the Yorkshire Evening Post that Aiton is currently still away on his pre-season back in Australia, and is seeking representation over any potential investigation.
“Paul is now dealing with that while he is over in Australia and he will be getting representation through the NRL and the Australian players’ association,” Hetherington said.
“The whole investigation is centred on what happened at Cronulla and it’s nothing to do with the RFL and in many ways nothing to do with Leeds Rhinos.
“It is an issue for Paul Aiton and the NRL, who are dealing with it and there will be an outcome.”
