After intensive negotiations with the NFL Gamers Affiliation, the NFL has eased a number of guidelines regarding substance abuse and performance-enhancing drug insurance policies.
In line with the memo, the NFL and the NFL Gamers Affiliation reached an settlement to boost the brink for a optimistic THC check from 150 ng/ml to 350. Moreover, they agreed to decrease the fines for gamers who check optimistic.
Groups will now be told solely of the penalty when a participant violates substance abuse insurance policies, with out being notified of the particular substance concerned within the optimistic check.
Amendments on the NFL’s drug insurance policies
Beforehand, gamers confronted a half-game nice for his or her first violation, however below the brand new settlement, they’ll now solely be fined $15,000. The penalty for a second violation was once a one-game suspension, however it’s now a $20,000 nice with no missed taking part in time. For a 3rd violation, the punishment was a two-game suspension, however now it’s lowered to a one-game nice. 4 or extra violations as soon as resulted in a three-game suspension, however now will result in a two-game ban.
The league and union additionally agreed to cut back fines for missed checks. Beforehand, a missed check resulted in a $20,000 nice. A second missed check would result in a one-game nice, a 3rd would end in a two-game suspension, and 4 or extra missed checks would convey a four-game suspension. Now, nonetheless, if a participant misses a check, each events will meet inside 10 enterprise days to debate the scenario.
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Progressive strategy in the direction of substance abuse and drug insurance policies
If the NFL determines {that a} missed check was not an intentional effort to keep away from testing, the participant can enchantment the punishment. The nice for a primary missed check stays at $20,000. A second missed check will end in a $45,000 nice, whereas a 3rd missed check will result in a two-game nice. 4 or extra missed checks will end in a four-game suspension.
Underneath the brand new coverage, gamers will now be examined for fentanyl “if clinically indicated,” a check that was not a part of the earlier coverage. There will likely be no disciplinary motion for a optimistic fentanyl check, but when a participant refuses to attend a compulsory assembly relating to fentanyl after testing optimistic, he’ll face a $15,000 nice.
A participant’s missed check rely resets to zero after one year and not using a missed check below the brand new coverage. A number of modifications have additionally been made to the performance-enhancing drug coverage, together with changes to testing procedures and reinstatement guidelines. Beforehand, a participant suspended for a performance-enhancing drug violation couldn’t return till they examined detrimental for the substance. Now, a participant might be reinstated if it is decided that the substance had no performance-enhancing impact.