Source :- THE AGE NEWS
The NRL has officially cleared Josh Addo-Carr to resume his NRL career, a move that ensures he will be part of Parramatta’s side for their season-opening clash in Las Vegas.
The Eels resolved at a board meeting on Friday to retain Addo-Carr after he produced a false-positive result for cocaine at a random police roadside test. However, the last impediment to a return was getting the green light from the NRL’s integrity unit, which was investigating the circumstances of the incident.
That came on Tuesday morning, ensuring one of the game’s cult heroes can resume his career.
“We are obviously very happy with the outcome,” said Addo-Carr’s high-profile lawyer Elias Tabchouri.
“This has been a difficult process to navigate. We are very thankful to both the Parramatta Eels and the NRL for the way they have approached this matter.
“We are very relieved for Josh and his family and are looking forward to him having a stellar year for the Eels.”
Addo-Carr will now be able to participate in pre-season training and add to his tally of 234 first-grade games.
While “The Foxx” will get the chance to fulfil the final year of his $450,000 contract, the 31-year-old has paid a price as a result of the incident. It has cost him, an incumbent Australian representative, the chance to be considered for Kangaroos selection for the World Cup.
There was also a financial cost after a raft of existing or prospective sponsors – including JAC Motors, P&O Cruises, Rexona, Nike, DoorDash, Red Bull, Weighplate and television series Rivals: Sport vs. Sport – cut ties after his initial roadside drugs test. The value of those endorsements is estimated to be worth close to $400,000, a figure almost as high as his playing contract.
Addo-Carr spent about a month in rehab after the incident. The former Storm star was sacked after providing a positive roadside test while employed at Canterbury in a separate incident two years ago.
Last week, Addo-Carr – who arrived at his Monday meeting with the board clutching a religious book specifically aimed at prison inmates – said he was hopeful of continuing his NRL career.
“I have always been committed to the Parramatta Eels and nothing has changed,” Addo-Carr said in a statement provided to this masthead on Tuesday.
“I turned up today with a book that has changed my life and this is a chance to put into practice what I’ve learnt. I feel like I’ve still got so much to give this club and community.
“I appreciate the Eels giving me an opportunity to provide my version of events and I hope I get another chance to pull on the blue and gold.”
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