Ottawa Redblacks long snapper Louis-Philippe Bourassa has been suspended two games after a positive drug test.
The banned substances found in Bourassa’s sample were Ibutamoren and Metabolite, D and L-Methamfetamine and Metabolities, D and L-Amfetamine. All illegal under the drug policy of the Canadian Football League and the Canadian Football League Players’ Association.
The 27-year-old was drafted by the Redblacks in the fourth round, 35th overall of the 2017 CFL draft and has played 39 games making nine special teams tackles. Ottawa released a statement on the incident:
The Ottawa REDBLACKS accept the suspension imposed on player Louis-Philippe Bourassa for a positive banned substance test. We understand this was the result of a substance found in an over-the-counter product, with the player unaware that it contained the banned substance.
Players who test positive face a two-game suspension for a first doping violation, a nine-game suspension for a second violation, a one-year suspension for a third violation, and a lifetime ban for a fourth violation.
Under the policy, a suspended player cannot participate in regular season or post-season games. It is up to the club to determine whether that player can participate in other team activities, such as training camp, practices and meetings.
All players will be subject to mandatory drug testing once testing positive, and will participate in an assessment and clinical evaluation to determine if they need additional counselling.
The policy mandates a total number of random tests equal to 100 per cent of the players in the CFL.
Random testing is ongoing and is conducted year-round.
