Johnson backs Sheahan appeal

ENGLAND captain Martin Johnson has added his support to Ireland hooker Frankie Sheahan’s bid to overturn a two-year drugs ban.

The Munster forward, an asthma sufferer, was suspended in July after testing positive for Salbutamol, which he uses as part of his medication.

Sheahan has received backing from fellow asthma sufferers Ronan O’Gara and David Wallace, and yesterday the English Professional Rugby Players Association (PRA) expressed extreme concern over the implications for asthmatic sports people.

Damian Hopley, chief executive of the PRA, said: “There has been huge interest in this case amongst our membership, all of whom are very concerned for rugby players in England if this severe ban is upheld.

“Asthma should not be a barrier to participation in sport at any level. There are several asthmatics playing in the Zurich Premiership and this treatment of Frankie has set a very dangerous precedent.

“We would not wish for any asthmatic who is obliged to use an inhaler to undergo the turmoil that Frankie has had to endure.”

The Judicial Tribunal which banned accepted he required medication for asthma and that he inhaled medication containing Salbutamol.

Martin Johnson, a PRA executive board member, said: “The regulations regarding the use of inhalers in rugby union have to be clarified in order to bring transparency and consistency to the issue of asthma medication.”