BACKDATED bans handed to Cronulla NRL players for admitting to doping will stand after the World Anti-Doping Agency ruled out an appeal but at the same time slammed the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency’s handling of the bungled 18-month investigation.

Sharks skipper Paul Gallen and 11 of his past and present teammates, including Gold Coast pair Luke Douglas and Albert Kelly, are free to resume their careers in November after WADA accepted the bans, which were effectively reduced to just three NRL games, were justified because of delays caused by ASADA and the Australian government.

WADA slammed the weak punishments and handling of the case by ASADA in a statement last night, indicating the players should have been banned as early as November 2013 or again in April 2014 when an independent judge appointed by the government had reviewed the investigation.

“WADA has determined that full scrutiny of the file revealed that the number of delays were directly the result of the lack of activity or decision by either ASADA or the Australian government,” the statement said.

“Nothing was done by ASADA to advance the matter following the completion of the ASADA investigation in November 2013 for many months.

“The Australian government decided, for reasons it considered appropriate, to appoint a retired judge (Downes) to review the ASADA files. It took some months for Downes to complete his task in early April 2014.

“There is no explanation for the continued inaction from ASADA following the receipt of the Downes report in April 2014 until steps were formally taken by ASADA in August 2014.

“WADA is not entirely satisfied with the outcome of this case and the practical period of the 12 month suspensions that will actually be served by the players. However, having fully considered all circumstances, WADA is of the view that an appeal would not advance the fight against doping in any meaningful way.”