Drug warning: tell all or face a suspension NRL boss Dave Smith, right, with ARLC chairman John Grant announcing that ASADA will interview 31 NRL players. NRL players at the centre of the ongoing ASADA investigation could be stood down or deregistered for breaching the game's code of conduct should they refuse to comply with interview requests from the country's peak drug enforcement body. And, in yet another blow for the sport, the NRL could begin issuing infraction notices and start hearings against players suspected of doping in the middle of this year's State of Origin series, a move that would overshadow one of the game's showpieces. ARL Commission chairman John Grant and chief executive Dave Smith staged a media conference yesterday where they revealed ASADA was in the process of formally requesting interviews with 31 players, with notices to be sent to the NRL's integrity unit this week. The integrity unit will pass those notices on to the players and it's expected they will make themselves available to ASADA for interviews over the next four to six weeks, starting as early as next week. If a player refuses to comply, the NRL can act under its anti-doping code and code of conduct, which dictate a player must provide reasonable assistance and submit to the authority of ASADA. Sanctions include suspensions and deregistration. They could also be fined $5000 under an anti-doping bill to be rushed through parliament. "We have a very clear code of conduct as to our obligations to assist the investigation and that's what I expect to take place," NRL chief executive Dave Smith said. I think so far what we have seen is nothing but co-operation. If the interviews don't take place, there are very clear procedures for us to follow up with individuals in the code of conduct, which is exactly what we will do. As well as the 31 players identified by ASADA - investigators have pointed out a request to be interviewed does not mean players are under direct suspicion - Smith also revealed about 10 former players had been identified. The NRL also confirmed 15 of the 16 clubs had been cleared of systematic doping - only Cronulla remains in the dock. "It is now not focused on clubs," Grant said. I think that is a very significant point of clarity. Smith added: "Its clear focus now is on whether individuals or groups of individuals may have acted outside club programs." Smith confirmed no players would be named or stood down until ASADA decided they had a case to answer, at which point infraction notices would be issued by the NRL. The infraction notices could begin arriving in six to eight weeks - the eight-week mark would mean players being stood down in the week before the opening Origin game. Significantly, NSW captain Paul Gallen is also the skipper of the Sharks. There is no suggestion Gallen has done anything wrong but the potential involvement of one or more of his teammates in the ASADA process is likely to prove an unwanted distraction for both him and the game. "The process is (ASADA) investigate, they find evidence, they create a case," Smith said. When they believe they have a case of an anti-doping violation, they refer it to the NRL, who raises what is called an infraction notice. At the point in time that infraction notice is raised, it is normal procedure for that player to be stood down. The player remains innocent until proven guilty. ASADA has made it clear that other than the well reported Cronulla issues, they're now moving the investigation to the players. So it's players or groups of players. Some of those players could have acted outside the club framework as individuals or groups of individuals. I don't know the names of any individuals. Adding to the NRL's woes is the need for the sport to find a new chairman for its Anti-Doping Tribunal after former chief justice of the NSW Supreme Court Sir Laurence Street retired at the end of last season. The tribunal is a three-man panel comprised of a barrister or a solicitor, a medical practitioner and a prominent citizen. Street has been joined at past hearings by Football Federation Australia chief medico Jeff Steinweg and former South Sydney player Sean Garlick.