Karmichael Hunt to remain with Queensland Reds but fined and suspended after pleading guilty to cocaine possession
Karmichael Hunt's rugby union career has been spared, although he will be fined $30,000 and suspended for six weeks by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and Queensland Reds.
The sanctions follow Hunt's appearance in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday *where he was fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to four charges of cocaine possession*.
No conviction for the offences was recorded.
Hunt will be available to play again for the Reds in round eight of Super Rugby but he will be stood down as one of the club's vice-captains.
He will undergo a drug treatment and rehabilitation program and also be placed on a monitored and targeted drug testing program.
"I made a terrible mistake last year and have no one but myself to blame for this situation," Hunt said in an ARU statement.
"I am genuinely sorry for the distress I have caused my family, friends, team-mates, Reds members, sponsors, fans and the wider rugby and sporting community in Queensland and beyond.
"I intend to work through the education and rehabilitation program and will return to the game in a way that sends a clear message to sports fans of all ages that the use of illicit substances has no place in sport.
"I am grateful for the support I have received from Queensland rugby over the past few weeks and intend to repay their loyalty through my future actions on and off the field."
ARU chief executive Bill Pulver says Hunt has been appropriately sanctioned.
"We are extremely disappointed in Karmichael's actions as illicit substances have no place in rugby," he said in a statement.
"However we acknowledge that he is sincerely remorseful and has cooperated with the investigation and our integrity enquires throughout this process.
"Karmichael has also accepted the penalty and consequences of his actions and understands the requirements of a professional athlete and the expectations of our code."
Hunt to return officially to Reds training late March
Hunt will be allowed to train at the Reds' Ballymore facility while suspended, although only when the club's main squad are not training.
He will officially return to training on March 23 ahead of the Reds' match against the Rebels in Melbourne.
"Each individual will have their own perspective and opinion on this issue and this specific case based on their personal life experience," Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael said in a statement.
"In arriving at these penalties we have all been acutely mindful of our responsibilities to sport and the wider community, as well as the long-term interests of the game, our stakeholders and our fans."
