Ex-Georgia captain Sharikadze handed 11-year ban over urine-swapping scheme

World Rugby's independent disciplinary panel has banned former Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze for 11 years over his involvement in an organised scheme to swap urine samples during anti-doping testing. According to the BBC, the ruling was published this week, with the player's representatives reserving the right to appeal.

The BBC reports that the case came to light during the routine sample-collection process before an international match for the Georgia rugby team. Anti-doping personnel found that the biochemical markers in the collected sample carried values that would not be expected from the athlete. That finding triggered further analysis and a review of the testing process.

The panel's published decision said Sharikadze had used a device to introduce a sample from another person into the testing cubicle. Technical details on the device and on how the sample was substituted were withheld on confidentiality grounds. The panel did, however, draw attention to the "organised and pre-planned" nature of the conduct.

The 11-year ban sits among the most severe sanctions in World Rugby's anti-doping rules. A standard banned-substance violation typically carries a four-year ban, while proven deliberate manipulation and sample tampering can double the length of the sanction or more. The panel did not treat the absence of any previous violation by the athlete as a mitigating factor.

Sharikadze's representatives said in a statement after the ruling that the athlete disputes the full account of events and will lodge an appeal. The team told the BBC the athlete will not be able to take part in any official rugby activity during the proceedings.

The Georgian Rugby Union replied to the BBC's questions in writing. The federation said it "respects the decision" and had provided the panel with the requested documents during the process. The federation also confirmed the athlete cannot continue to hold any role within the union.

Sharikadze played more than 60 international matches for Georgia during his career. He captained the team at the 2019 World Cup and at club level had played for Castres and Toulon in France. Those clubs have not yet replied to the BBC's questions, the report says.

The ruling also has broader implications. The panel noted that World Rugby and the national federation are conducting a joint investigation into others who may have assisted Sharikadze or taken part in the scheme. That investigation is still ongoing, and no additional names have been made public so far.

World Rugby chair Bill Beaumont told the BBC the ruling "shows our determination to safeguard rugby's commitment to clean sport." Beaumont said anti-doping protocols are continually being updated and that sample-verification procedures will be tightened from next season onwards.

Georgian rugby communities have responded with mixed reactions on social media. Some supporters say they back Sharikadze's right to appeal, while most former team-mates have declined to comment publicly. Former team captain Lasha Khmaladze, speaking to the BBC, said only that "we must be sure the process has been full and fair."