Former NRL star Sam Burgess was reportedly arrested for testing positive for illicit drugs after failing a random roadside drug test.
The South Sydney legend has denied any such allegations and has since conducted his own independent test in which he maintains results came back negative.
Daily Mail reports that the former England international was pulled over by police at Kingsford on Thursday morning (December 22) for a random test.
Police allege that Burgess was driving on a suspended license.
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The former footballer allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine and was taken to Maroubra Police Station for a second round of tests before being released.
However, the Englishman has denied any allegations and says he later took a test at an internationally-accredited laboratory which showed no drugs in his system.
In a statement posted to his Instagram, he wrote: “After benign pulled over on the morning of Thursday 22nd December by an unmarked police car, an initial roadside drug test was taken, which showed positive to cocaine.
“A court date was issued for driving with a suspended licence.'
“After I was released from the police station, I immediately and voluntarily went to an independent, internationally accredited testing facility and undertook a urine test.
“The urine sample returned a negative result to all illicit drugs.
“I deny any suggestion that I have drugs in my system. I have not consumed, obtained, or possessed any illicit drugs.
“I have made positive improvements to my life and to my driving since my full licence was returned to me following a 10-month loss of licence. I have undertaken road safety courses and since then I have not incurred any demerit points or fines.
“I am clean and sober from drugs, living a happy, healthy and balanced life.”
Burgess has not yet been charged for the alleged positive drug result, however, has been issued a court attendance notice for driving while suspended.
An NSW Police statement to SPORTbible read: “Inquiries are continuing, and police will await the result of a secondary oral fluid analysis.”
Results for the second test could take several weeks to return.
Prior to his latest arrest, Burgess has copped 35 traffic offences since arriving in Australia from the UK in 2010.
He pleaded guilty to driving with cocaine in his system while behind the wheel of an unregistered car in the Southern Highlands in February last year.
SPORTbible has reached out to both Sam Burgess for comment.
Topics: Australia, England, NRL, Rugby League
Jayden Collins