Seven Georgian players and a doctor were sanctioned on Tuesday, with former captain Merab Sharikadze receiving the longest ban.
Rugby union’s most extensive anti-doping investigation has resulted in an 11-year ban for former Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze, who was found to have participated in a urine sample-swapping scheme to conceal cannabis use.
World Rugby confirmed bans for six other Georgian nationals on Tuesday: Giorgi Chkoidze (six years), Lasha Khmaladze (three years), Miriani Modebadze (three years), Otar Lashkhi (three years), Lasha Lomidze (nine months), and Dr Nutsa Shamatava (nine years). The four-year investigation revealed that team doctor Shamatava alerted players to upcoming doping controls via a squad group chat on eight occasions before the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Although World Rugby initially suspected performance-enhancing drug use, the investigation found credible evidence that the alerts were meant to hide cannabis and tramadol (a strong opioid painkiller) usage. Georgia finished last in their pool at the 2023 World Cup without a win. Due to backdated sanctions, Modebadze, Lomidze, Khmaladze, and Lashkhi will be eligible for the 2027 tournament.
“We recognize that these events have inflicted a serious blow to the reputation of Georgian rugby,” a Georgia Rugby statement said in March. “We fully acknowledge the seriousness of these matters. The individuals involved have not been members of the national team since the 2023-24 season. We have launched intensive work and implemented stringent measures to prevent similar incidents.”
WADA President Witold Banka praised the investigation: “This is a scandal for Georgian sport. These significant suspensions send a strong message to anyone tempted to cheat the system.” World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin added, “Our extensive four-year investigation has helped identify subversion of the doping control process and sends a clear message that World Rugby takes all anti-doping matters extremely seriously.”
World Rugby also imposed a financial penalty on the Georgia Rugby Union and required a roadmap of reforms, which Georgia accepted. Georgia will compete in Pool B of the 2027 men’s World Cup in Australia against South Africa, Italy, and Romania.