CRONULLA Sutherland Sharks chief executive Steve Noyce said the club was unaware that players under the Australian Anti Sports Doping Authority microscope may be called to meetings this week to discuss possible sanctions.
The long running saga has tested the patience of the players, fans and those involved in the game.
"As with any ASADA investigation, they are under no obligation to inform you as to how their investigation is progressing," Noyce said.
"ASADA deals with the players and their lawyers directly.
"There have been lots of false starts about the NRL investigation which has been reported in various media outlets."
The Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday that it understood a meeting would be held Wednesday, between several Cronulla players and ASADA.
It reported some of the Cronulla players accused of taking performance-enhancing drugs in 2011 could escape with a ban of as little as four weeks during the off-season.
The Herald also stated past and present players were expected to be called to a meeting with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the NRL this week where they would be offered a range of sanctions; some receiving a ban of one month and others six months.
The Herald article reported that ASADA's chief executive Ben McDevitt was anxious for it to be resolved before the end of the season so players given six-month bans could miss only one month of the 2015 season.
There are 10 players from the 2011 squad still playing in the NRL who may be affected.
Noyce said everyone was aware the investigation had been going for about 20 months.
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan was suspended by the NRL for 12 months and the club fined $1 million as part of an investigation into governance issues surrounding the supplements program run by former strength and conditioning coach Trent Elkin in 2011.
"The Sharks remain committed to working with the authorities as required and hope like everyone, the matter is finalised," Noyce said.
He said Cronulla had been fully co-operative with ASADA.
Has the ASADA investigation dragged on too long?
