Former Georgia rugby captain Merab Sharikadze has been handed an 11-year suspension for his role in what World Rugby described as an “orchestrated scheme involving recreational drugs and sample substitution”.
Background of the Case
The ban follows a joint investigation by World Rugby and the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), code-named “Operation Obsidian”. The probe uncovered five instances where players allegedly swapped urine samples to evade detection. Additionally, employees of Georgia's national anti-doping agency tipped off players about upcoming tests.
Sharikadze, who earned 104 caps for his country and captained Georgia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, received the longest ban among the players involved. He had previously admitted his involvement as he transitioned into mixed martial arts. “My sample, so to say, was used instead of other players’ samples,” Sharikadze told Setanta Sports Georgia last year.
Other Sanctioned Individuals
- Giorgi Chkoidze – six-year ban
- Lasha Khmaladze – three-year ban
- Otar Lashkhi – three-year ban
- Miriani Modebadze – three-year ban
- Lasha Lomidze – nine-month ban
- Dr. Nutsa Shamatava (team doctor) – nine-year suspension
Investigation Trigger
World Rugby stated that the investigation was sparked by irregularities in urine samples identified through its athlete passport management programme, covering an extended period before the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. Georgia finished bottom of their pool at the tournament without a victory.
