York United FC today announced striker Osaze De Rosario will be ineligible to represent the club for one month, effective immediately, after he received a sanction from the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) following an anti-doping rule violation. 

De Rosario inadvertently ingested THC, a component of cannabis and a legal substance in Canada, a few days before an in-competition urine test on Oct. 1, 2022. THC is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) List of Prohibited Substances. It is prohibited in competition, that is on match days, but not out of competition. As a member of Canada Soccer, the national governing body for the sport in Canada, York players are required to comply with the Canadian Anti-Doping Program, which is independently administered by the CCES.

A one-month suspension is the lowest available sanction for a THC violation under CCES rules and reflects De Rosario’s inadvertent exposure to THC.

“Last September, I unknowingly consumed THC after eating an unlabelled dessert at a dinner gathering I attended days before a match,” said De Rosario. 

“I understand that cannabis is legal in Canada but is also prohibited in-competition in some professional sports. I did not intentionally eat cannabis, but I take responsibility for my actions and will abide by the sanction. This will allow me to get back on the field in the shortest timeframe allowed under the CCES rules. I apologize to my club, the coaching staff, my teammates, our supporters and my family for not being available this month.”

During the sanction period, De Rosario is ineligible to participate in any capacity with York United, including training with teammates. He will be eligible to return to the squad in early September.

“This is a regrettable situation. We are satisfied that Osaze consumed the THC inadvertently and out of competition. While we support his decision to comply with the CCES’ sanction, it is disappointing that a sanction is required under these circumstances,” said Angus McNab, President/CEO & GM, York United FC.

 “We appreciate the important work done by the CCES, but we are disappointed that THC, a substance that is legal to consume in Canada, remains on WADA’s prohibited list. Leading sports leagues around the world including the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball have stopped testing for cannabis in recent years. The fact is, if Osaze played for the Toronto Raptors, the Toronto Blue Jays or the Toronto Maple Leafs in the same city, he would not be sanctioned.  We strongly urge WADA to review the inclusion of THC on its prohibited list for the benefit of all current and future Canadian soccer players.”