Football star Josh Addo-Carr has pulled out of the Bulldogs’ final against Manly after reportedly testing positive for drugs during a roadside check over the weekend.
The 29-year-old Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs winger was pulled over by police on Friday night and reportedly tested positive for cocaine while driving, although the club has denied this.
The NRL star has not yet been charged, with further investigation into the test still to be conducted.
Bulldogs manager Phil Gould explained that the superstar winger is convinced he is innocent but has put the team first by stepping down.
“Josh is defending himself vehemently here,” Gould said.
‘However, Josh has decided to take a step back himself, to put the team first.
‘I want to emphasize that Josh is convinced that he is completely innocent.
“He can’t understand how he tested positive on this roadside test.”
Addo-Carr told the Bulldogs about the incident, but there is some confusion about the situation, with manager Phil Gould initially stating the test was ‘negative’.
It was announced on Tuesday morning that the Bulldogs are prepared to sit Addo-Carr out for their elimination final against Manly this weekend, and will meet with him on Tuesday to discuss the matter.
Nine’s NRL journalist Danny Weidler wrote on X: ‘From all the information I’ve been able to gather so far… I expect Josh Addo Carr to be suspended by the Bulldogs later today.’
The news comes after Gould posted a message on social media on Monday defending the Canterbury flyer.
“In response to the circulating rumors and now several media inquiries regarding Josh Addo-Carr,” Gould posted on X.
Josh Addo-Carr (pictured) is likely to be suspended after allegedly failing a roadside drugs test last weekend
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs winger was arrested by police on Friday night and reportedly tested positive while driving
“On Friday night, Josh was pulled over and randomly drug tested on the side of the road. The test results were negative and Josh was allowed to continue on his way. It happens to all of us on the road. The police are the ones who keep our communities safe. We appreciate their work.
“There is absolutely no truth to the rumors that Josh had any problems. Absolutely nothing. Enjoy your final football exams everyone.”
On Monday evening, Gould said Addo-Carr had informed the club about the matter on Saturday, but the winger had explained to him that the drugs test was inconclusive.
It wasn’t until Monday that the club received calls about the matter and learned that he had reportedly submitted a positive sample.
“He came around the next morning and reported it to us, but the way it was reported to us was very dismissive,” Gould told 100% Footy.
‘That there was no drama, that he had not tested positive for anything and that they had let him drive home.
‘Josh thought the test was negative because he had the second test done and they let him go.
The Bulldogs learned on Monday that the winger had tested positive
“I’m not saying Josh deliberately misrepresented the facts, that was his interpretation of events. The police have a different interpretation.”
On Tuesday morning, Gould said he was “very disappointed” with the situation
“I’ll make my recommendations on how I think the week should proceed. It’s a very, very important week,” Gould said on the Today Show.
‘I’m very disappointed… we have to make a decision today to figure out… what we’re going to do with Josh in particular this week so the team can continue with their preparations.
‘I will be holding a press conference at 11am this morning in Belmore. I will be meeting with the chairman, the CEO and the coach this morning and we will make a decision then.’
Presenter Karl Stefanovic then asked Gould if Addo-Carr had lied.
“There are clearly inconsistencies in his story and what he explained to us Monday morning,” Gould responded.
“It may have been Josh’s interpretation of events, but it’s very inconsistent with what the police report has right now. We haven’t spoken to the police. And the police haven’t spoken to us.
The club will meet with Addo-Carr on Tuesday to determine the next step
“I understand that the police have spoken to NRL Integrity and that they spoke to our CEO yesterday. They confirmed what was in the press release yesterday.”
News Corp NRL reporter Phil Rothfield spoke about the matter on NRL360 on Monday night and said Gould was embarrassed by the incident.
“(Addo-Carr) met Gus on Monday afternoon and he might be a little bit embarrassed about it,” he said.
“(Gould) tweeted that everything was fine because he had never failed a test.”
‘There is huge confusion over the fact that Josh Addo-Carr, when he told the Bulldogs, even though he didn’t say he had tested positive, did inform the integrity unit on Saturday.
“They’ve been monitoring it for 48 hours. The other interesting thing is Josh Addo-Carr went to his own doctor today to get a third test done.”
Addo-Carr has had a number of unlucky seasons due to persistent injury problems.
Last weekend he was sidelined again during the Bulldogs’ loss to the Cowboys due to a leg injury.
The NRL has not yet commented on the situation.