NRL announces Cronulla Sharks sanctions 1:22pm: That wraps up our live coverage of today's announcement from NRL headquarters. In a nutshell, this is what happened: Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has been suspended for 12 months The club has been fined $1 million Conditioning coach Trent Elkin has had his registration cancelled. Thanks for joining in, and stay tuned to smh.com.au this afternoon for analysis and reaction to today's announcement. 1:00pm: Click here for a wrap-up of today's announcement from the NRL about the Cronulla Sharks's controversial supplements program in 2011. NRL CEO David Smith. 12:53pm: The preliminary findings against Trent Elkin include that he: Exposed players to significant potential risks to health Exposed players to possible breaches of the NRL Anti-Doping Rules Allowed persons without the necessary qualifications and training to administer supplements by injection Personally injected players without adequate qualifications and training to do so 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 Failed to comply with a protocol that had been agreed on April 7, 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 12:48pm: The NRL's preliminary findings against Shane Flanagan are 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 April 7, 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 12:47pm: These are the NRL's preliminary findings against the Cronulla Sharks for alleged breaches of the NRL's Code of Conduct. They include that the Sharks: Allowed persons without the necessary qualifications and training to administer supplements to players Failed to ensure proper supervision and controls were in place Failed to devise and implement systems to ensure compliance with appropriate standards to safeguard the health and welfare of its players Failed to take appropriate action when it became aware that unsafe practices had been employed in the administration of supplements to players 12:45pm: Daniel Lane reports that Sharks assistant coach Peter Sharp was expected to be the embattled club's first choice to replace Shane Flanagan while he sits out his 12-month suspension. Sharp coached in Flanagan's absence during the opening two rounds of the 2013 season while the old board investigated allegations the 2011 team used banned substances. It's understood from insiders that Sharp would only take on the job if he was promised the job once Flanagan served his 12-month suspension. If the club could not make that guarantee to Sharp, it was expected they would need to look for a new coach to oversee their 2014 campaign. 12:43pm: Rugby league reporter Brad Walter sums up Smith's announcement so far: Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan and Parramatta strength and conditioning coach Trent Elkin have been suspended over their role in the Sharks 2011 supplements program. NRL chief executive Dave Smith announced Flanagan had been banned for 12 months, while Elkin, who was at the Sharks in 2011, has had his registration cancelled and advised he would be unlikely to be considered worthy of employment in the game tor two years. Cronulla were also fined $1 million, with $400,000 suspended. 12:36pm: NRL CEO Dave Smith says the Cronulla Sharks have "breached the NRL code of conduct through a series of failures to safeguard the health and welfare of its players." 12:24pm: The alleged program was introduced to the Sharks by sports scientist Stephen Dank. As a result, coach Shane Flanagan was stood down, along with coaching and support staff members - doctor Dave Givney, physiotherapist Konrad Schultz, football operations general manager Darren Mooney and trainer Mark Noakes - by the former Cronulla board for the first two rounds of 2013 while the directors and their then chairman Damian Irvine investigated the claims. Flanagan was reappointed after sitting out the first two rounds but Givney and Mooney were left on the outer. Noakes was eventually reappointed despite the NRL asking the move be delayed and Schultz was recruited by the Canberra Raiders. 12:24pm: Let's look back on the events that led up to today's announcement. Earlier this year, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the Australian Crime Commission announced an investigation into drugs in sport. ASADA and the ACC announced they believed footballers from the major codes used banned peptides and human growth hormones that were provided by well-organised criminal networks. So far only former Canberra, Roosters and Penrith winger Sandor Earl has been sanctioned as a result of the ASADA investigation. 12:17pm: The press conference at the NRL's Sydney headquarters is due to kick off at 12.30pm. Sydney Morning Herald rugby league reporter Michael Carayannis is there and will bring us the news as it happens. 12:02pm: Hello, and welcome to our live coverage of Tuesday's announcement by the NRL of the results of its investigation into the Cronulla Sharks. NRL CEO Dave Smith is to release at 12.30pm the results of the Integrity Unit's investigation into corporate governance issues relating to the Sharks' controversial supplements program in 2011. It has been widely speculated that the club will face a fine of up to $1 million as reported in Fairfax Media on December 1. A fine of $1 million is the maximum the NRL can impose under its anti-doping violation rules, although other potential sanctions at its disposal include deducting points or grants. Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan is also expected to face suspension, while other support staff could also be facing bans from holding positions in the game.