Sharks coach peeved by ASADA questions

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has abruptly ended a media conference after being questioned about the NRL club’s 2011 ASADA drugs scandal.

Flanagan faced the media at pre-season training on Monday as the club’s four current players who were banned over the scandal, including skipper Paul Gallen, made their return from suspension.

However, he took exception to persistent questioning relating to the scandal.

The final straw came when he was asked: “Are you sorry for allowing your players to be injected with illegal substances?”

“Excuse me. I have gone through this all before. I’m not going to go over it again,” said Flanagan before walking away.

Flanagan had earlier been asked about comments from former Cronulla player Matthew Wright, who has said he felt let down by the club.

“I’m disappointed Matthew made those comments that the club let him down,” he said.

“If he believes that, it’s unfortunate.”

The coach was asked if he felt he had let anyone down.

“We are talking about season 2015 now,” said Flanagan.

“We have gone through paper after paper, comment after comment. We are concentrating on season 2015.”

He was then asked when he would answer those questions.

What questions?” said Flanagan. “We have gone through that numerous times. We are talking about season 2015 and the return of the players. That’s what I’m here to talk about.”

Flanagan was banned from the NRL for 12 months over governance issues at the club during their 2011 supplements program, which ultimately led to 10 past and current Sharks players getting backdated 12-month bans.

He was allowed to return to work at the beginning of the month after undergoing NRL-directed intensive education and training courses on workplace health and safety, the NRL rules and other integrity and ethical training.

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