THE Cronulla Sharks have been fined $1 million and Shane Flanagan has been provisionally suspended for 12 months over the ASADA scandal.

Former strength and conditioning coach Trent Elkin, declared to have personally injected Sharks players with supplements despite being unqualified to do so, also faces an indefinite ban in sanctions handed down by the NRL on Tuesday.

Late on Tuesday Sharks CEO Steve Noyce issued a statement that the club would vigorously defend the charges levelled at the club and that it would support Flanagan and the provisional findings against him. It made no mention of Elkin.

"(The) proposed penalties will not distract us from our vision of continuing to build a successful club, in the Sutherland Shire, well into the future," Noyce said.

NRL CEO Dave Smith phoned the club Tuesday morning to officially hand down the punishment. The NRL announced the penalties at a 12.30pm AEDT press conference.

Smith stressed the findings and sanctions were provisional. However, Flanagan stands accused of failing to protect the safety of his players during a supplements program that occurred during 2011.

News_Rich_Media: Fox Sports' Steve Hart reviews the NRL's most damaging headline of 2013 - the ASADA investigation into the Cronulla Sharks.

He is banned effective immediately and would have to convince the NRL via a submission that he should not be kicked out of the game for next year. Former Sharks halfback Brett Kimmorley has been mentioned as a possible replacement.

Flanagan and Elkin have until January 15 next year to respond to the proposed sanctions.

FULL STATEMENT: THE NRL'S SHARKS SANCTIONS

TIMELINE: NRL DOPING SAGA

RISE AND FALL OF SHANE FLANAGAN

News_Rich_Media: Daily Telegraph journalist Dean Ritchie examines the punishment handed down to the Cronulla Sharks by the NRL over their supplement scandal.

"Information of a serious nature has been presented, and following a thorough and rigorous assessment, I have formed a preliminary view that the club is in breach of the rules and that action needs to be taken with respect to the registrations of two individuals," Smith said.

"Before any final determination is made, I will give full consideration to the contents of any response made by the club, Mr Flanagan and Mr Elkin."

In a damning statement, the NRL said the Sharks "exposed players to significant potential risks to health" and "exposed players to possible breaches of the NRL Anti-Doping Rules".

Flanagan was declared to have "failed to ensure a safe and healthy work environment" and "failed to properly supervise the head of strength and conditioning".News_Image_File: Coach Shane Flanagan during a Cronulla Sharks traiing session.

Elkin was deemed to have:

- Exposed players to significant potential risks to health;

- Exposed players to possible breaches of the NRL Anti-Doping Rules;

- Allowed persons without the necessary qualifications and training to administer supplements by injection;

- Personally injected players without adequate qualifications and training to do so; and

- Failed to obtain the fully informed consent of players to the administration of particular supplements.

Elkin was also declared to have failed in his obligation to inform club doctor, David Givney, of changes he made to the club's supplement program.

Smith confirmed he had proposed for Elkin's registration to be cancelled and Flanagan's to be suspended for 12 months. Flanagan's ban may be reduced to nine months, while it was deemed unlikely Elkin could be re-registered at any time in the next two years.

News_Module: ASADA TIMELINE

Of the club's $1 million fine, $400,000 has been suspended pending an independent governance review of the financially-battling club, and further governance changes.

"We will not accept practices that put our players at risk," Smith said.

"Clubs are obligated to ensure proper processes are in place to protect our players and we will hold clubs and individuals to account if there is a failure to do so.

"The NRL has also taken significant steps to ensure risk is minimised in the future."

News_Rich_Media: Sports lawyer Darren Kane explains where the Cronulla Sharks must go from here and what steps remain in ASADA's investigations.

Cronulla has been in the sights of ASADA for the alleged use of illegal peptides since the drugs in sport investigation was announced by the Australian Crime Commission on February 7.

In March, the Sharks launched an investigation into happenings at the club during 2011, specifically a supplements program overseen by sports scientist Stephen Dank.

Smith said he had not been advised by ASADA at this stage of any further matters requiring sanction, but the investigation remained ongoing.News_Image_File: NRL CEO Dave Smith today during the press conference to announce sanctions against the Cronulla Sharks, coach Shane Flanagan and former trainer Trent Elkin. Picture: Adam Taylor

Flanagan will almost certainly have to sit out the entire 2014 season, but Cronulla officials have vowed to stand by him for the following year. Smith said the coach would have access to support from the NRL.

"This has been a very, very thorough process,'' Smith said.

"All parties now have the chance to put their case forward.

"We've worked through this over a number of months and I spoke to Cronulla this morning and to Shane.

"It's a difficult situation and I encouraged him to put his submission forward and we would make sure any support we can give him and his family we would be right there with him.

"But quite clearly it's a very difficult set of circumstances. If provisional findings are upheld - player welfare and well-being is front and centre of considerations we make.''

Flanagan was stood down by the Sharks earlier this year, along with four other staff members, yet was reinstated on March 22.

News_Image_File: Former Sharks head of strength and conditioning Trent Elkin.

Elkin has been working as Parramatta's head of physical performance. The club released a statement Tuesday afternoon.

"Today the Parramatta Eels have been informed of the NRL's preliminary findings in relation to the club's head of physical performance Trent Elkin following an investigation into the 2011 supplement program at Elkin's former club, the Cronulla Sharks," the statement said.

"At this stage the findings are provisional and Elkin has been given until 15 January, 2014 to respond.

"The club's primary focus is the welfare of Trent and his family during this difficult time."

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