TORONTO — The Canadian Football League announced on Monday that Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Marcus Thigpen has been suspended for two games after testing positive for a banned substance (Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone), under the drug policy of the CFL and the Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA).

Players who test positive will 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.

Riders head coach and general manager Chris Jones issued the following statement:

“We are disappointed in Marcus and that he has tested positive for a banned substance. We have been in conversation with Marcus and the CFL for clarity and accept the league’s decision and corresponding two-game suspension. Our organization fully supports the CFL/CFLPA policy preventing the use of performance-enhancing drugs.”

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 mini camp, training camp, practices and meetings. Thigpen will be eligible to take part in pre-season games.

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.