Shane Flanagan, Trent Elkin cop long bans over NRL supplement scandal The Cronulla Sharks have been handed a provisional fine of $1 million, while coach Shane Flanagan has been suspended for 12 months over the ASADA scandal. Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has been suspended for a year over the club's supplements program in 2011. CRONULLA coach Shane Flanagan has been suspended for 12 months and the club's former head of strength and conditioning Trent Elkin, now at Parramatta, stood down for a minimum of two years over their role in the supplement scandal which has enveloped the club. NRL chief executive Dave Smith announced the sanctions against Flanagan and Elkin today, also revealing the Sharks had been slugged with a $1 million fine - $400,000 of which was suspended - over their use of supplements during the period when sports scientist Steve Dank was at the club in 2011. The sanctions had been widely anticipated, although Flanagan has been steadfast in his belief that he acted properly. The NRL decided otherwise, standing the club's coach down for 12 months, although the ban would be reduced to nine months provided Flanagan undergoes further education. It means Flanagan could conceivably return in time for next year's finals series. Smith informed Flanagan of the NRL's decision this morning. Among the allegations laid against Flanagan were that he: Failed to ensure a safe and healthy work environment; Failed to properly supervise the head of strength and conditioning; Failed to ensure the head of strength and conditioning complied with his obligation to inform the club doctor about changes that had been made to the supplement program and to obtain his prior approval with respect to those changes; Failed to take appropriate action when he became aware that unsafe practices had been employed in the administration of supplements to players; Failed to ensure that the head of strength and conditioning complied with a protocol that had been agreed on 7 April 2011 to the effect that the prior approval of the club doctor be obtained with respect to any supplements that were intended to be administered to players. Elkin, who left the club and subsequently joined Parramatta, was given an even heftier ban by the NRL. While no time limit was outlined, Smith made it clear any application for registration would be unlikely to receive favourable consideration within the next two years. The findings against Elkin included that he: Exposed players to significant potential risks to health; Failed to obtain the fully informed consent of players to the administration of particular supplements; Failed to comply with his obligation to inform the club doctor about changes that had been made to the supplement program and to obtain his prior approval with respect to those changes; Misrepresented material facts to players in relation to the supplement program; and Failed to comply with a protocol that had been agreed on 7 April 2011 to the effect that the prior approval of the club doctor be obtained with respect to any supplements that were intended to be administered to players.