Addo-Carr twist as second drug test comes back negative
The police have withdrawn their case against Josh Addo-Carr after a second roadside drug test returned a negative result.
Addo-Carr was staring down a 12-week NRL suspension and the Eels were reportedly considering tearing up his contract, but the negative drug test is likely to give the superstar winger a reprieve.
Josh Addo-Carr’s career hangs in the balance. Getty Images
The Parramatta flyer was informed about the negative result by police just hours before he was scheduled to front the club’s board, with his future on the line.
Addo-Carr has been a popular player at the club on and off the field, with the Eels eager to sort out his future before players return to pre-season training.
With his future clouded for two months after allegedly testing positive to cocaine when randomly pulled over for a roadside test by police in September, Addo-Carr was waiting to plead his case and learn his fate with the club board.
The 31-year-old checked himself into rehabilitation clinic for a month after the first test result, losing his sponsorship deal with automotive group JAC just days before doing so.
Addo-Carr will now front the board on Monday afternoon where he is expected to be supported by his lawyer Elias Tabchouri and manager Marcel Tartak, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.
Parramatta had seemingly already begun their hunt to replace the winger, with the club linked to Bradman Best, Jack Bostock and James Schiller.
The trio is off contract for 2027.
It is not the first time Addo-Carr has been in this position, having being sacked by the Bulldogs after returning two positive roadside drug tests a week out from the club’s first finals match in 2024.