British Lacrosse player William Locker receives 17-month ban for Anti-Doping Rule Violations
Lacrosse player William Locker has been banned from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport for 17 months, following Anti-Doping Rule Violations for the Presence and Use of Prohibited Substances.
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected a urine sample from Mr Locker, In-Competition, at the Nick Kehoe International at Wilmslow Lacrosse Club on 3 May 2025.
The sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for cocaine and its Metabolite benzoylecgonine, as well as THC Metabolite carboxy-THC. Both substances are prohibited In-Competition only. THC, found in cannabis, is listed as a cannabinoid under S8 of the 2025 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. Cocaine is listed as a stimulant under S6.A.
UKAD notified Mr Locker of the AAFs and imposed a Provisional Suspension. In his response, Mr Locker admitted using cannabis and cocaine, explaining that he had taken them the evening before the competition.
An independent scientific expert concluded that Mr Locker’s cannabis use most likely took place Out-of-Competition (i.e. before 11:59pm on 2 May 2026), but that his last use of cocaine most likely took place during the In-Competition period (i.e. after 11:59pm on 2 May 2026).
On 17 September 2025, UKAD formally charged Mr Locker with an ADRV pursuant to ADR Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance) in relation to cocaine, cocaine Metabolite benzoylecgonine and carboxy-THC; and an ADRV pursuant to ADR Article 2.2 (Use of a Prohibited Substance) in relation to cocaine.
Based on the evidence provided by Mr Locker and the opinion of the independent scientific expert, UKAD determined that Mr Locker’s use of cocaine occurred In-Competition, but in a context unrelated to sport performance. UKAD also determined that Mr Locker established that he bore No Significant Fault or Negligence in relation to his use of cocaine. UKAD therefore imposed a period of Ineligibility of 17 months, having regard to Mr Locker’s degree of Fault.
Mr Locker’s ban is deemed to have begun on 27 May 2025 (the date on which the Provisional Suspension was imposed) and will expire on 26 October 2026.
