Canterbury winger Josh Addo-Carr returns second positive drugs test

Canterbury supremo Phil Gould has offered just two words in response to the news that Josh Addo-Carr’s second sample returned a positive result for cocaine: “Rugby league...”

The fallout from Addo-Carr’s alleged positive roadside test took a new turn on Friday, with NSW Police issuing Addo-Carr’s lawyers with an infringement notice for driving under the influence of illicit drugs.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Josh Addo-Carr returns second positive test.

Addo-Carr was pulled over on Friday night while driving in the Sydney suburb of Wentworth Point and allegedly returned a positive test.

He was then tested a second time, with the sample sent away for further analysis.

Addo-Carr told Bulldogs officials he is adamant he did not take cocaine in the lead-up to last week’s test, and is at a loss to explain the positive result.

He stood himself down from playing in this week’s elimination final against Manly. Addo-Carr’s lawyer Elias Tabchouria on Friday said his client had agreed to accept the result from police and pay a fine.

“Despite the fact that Josh maintains that he has never knowingly ingested any illegal drugs he has decided to pay the infringement and bring this matter to an end legally,” Tabchouria said.

Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould called a snap press conference to address the matter on Tuesday, saying Addo-Carr was “vehemently adamant” he had not taken drugs.

But Gould suggested the 29-year-old’s future at the club would fall under the spotlight should his secondary test come back positive.

Addo-Carr is contracted to Canterbury through 2025 on a deal worth an estimated $550,000 per season but would be free to negotiate with rival clubs for 2026 from November 1.

“Rugby league...” Gould wrote on Friday night.

The Bulldogs had earlier released a statement confirming the positive result.

“The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have been advised that NRL squad member Josh Addo-Carr has returned a positive result on the second sample taken on Friday night (September 6) at a NSW Police random roadside illicit drug test,” the club said.

“Josh has left training to be with his manager, Mario Tartak. The club is offering Josh appropriate support during this difficult period.

“The Bulldogs are committed to following the appropriate protocols with regards to the player’s contract and CBA and will work with the NRL Integrity unit, the player and his management team accordingly throughout further investigations.

“While we treat this issue with utmost seriousness, Josh’s welfare is our highest priority at this time.

“We will not be making any further comment until more information is available to the club. We request that the privacy of Josh and his family be respected during this challenging time.

“In the meantime, our focus remains steadfast on preparation for Sunday’s match.”

Coach Cameron Ciraldo spoke about Addo-Carr before the news broke.

“He came back to training on Wednesday, had a good day and he’s all about helping the team now. He’s put the team first and the club first and we appreciate that and we’ll get on with it,” he said.

Canterbury general manager Phil Gould earlier this week suggested that if Addo-Carr’s secondary sample came back positive, his future at the club would fall under the spotlight.

“There are sanctions to that and precedence for that,” Gould said on Tuesday.

“If it came back positive, Josh would have to explain how it got in his system.

“Because he is adamant, and I mean vehemently adamant, that he has not taken the drugs.”