Parramatta are poised to allow Josh Addo-Carr to resume his NRL career, pending the finalisation of the integrity unit's investigation into his false-positive roadside cocaine test. A second oral fluid test came back negative, meaning no further police action will be taken.
The Eels are ready to welcome the premiership-winning winger back to training once the integrity unit gives its final approval, expected next week. That would clear Addo-Carr to participate in pre-season training and add to his 234 first-grade games.
Addo-Carr, 31, is in the final year of his $450,000 contract with Parramatta. The incident has already cost him the chance of Kangaroos selection for the World Cup. A raft of sponsors, including JAC Motors, P&O Cruises, Rexona and Nike, cut ties after his initial roadside drugs test. The lost endorsements are estimated to be worth close to $400,000.
Addo-Carr spent about a month in rehab after the incident. He was previously sacked by Canterbury two years ago after providing a positive roadside test while employed there.
“At this stage we can't comment in relation to the outcome,” said Addo-Carr's lawyer, Elias Tabchouri. “We are still working through the process. However, as stated previously, we remain committed to Parramatta and hopeful Josh can continue his career with them.”
Addo-Carr said in a statement: “I have always been committed to the Parramatta Eels and nothing has changed. I turned up today with a book that has changed my life and this is a chance to put into practice what I've learnt. I feel like I've still got so much to give this club and community.”
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Addo-Carr's return would give Parramatta a proven match-winger for the 2026 season, boosting their backline depth.
- The false-positive incident highlights the reputational and financial risks players face even when cleared of wrongdoing.
- The outcome sets a precedent for how the NRL handles cases where initial roadside drug tests are later contradicted.
Background
Addo-Carr tested positive for cocaine in a random police roadside test, but a second oral fluid test came back negative, leading police to drop the matter. He spent about a month in rehab and lost several sponsors. This is his second off-field drug incident; he was sacked by Canterbury in 2024 after a positive roadside test.
Key Perspectives
- Lawyer Elias Tabchouri: The legal team is working through the process and remains committed to Parramatta, hoping Addo-Carr can continue his career.
- Josh Addo-Carr: Says he is committed to the Eels, appreciates the opportunity to provide his version of events, and hopes to pull on the blue and gold again.
- Parramatta Eels: Ready to welcome Addo-Carr back, pending the NRL integrity unit's final approval, which is expected next week.
What to Watch
- The NRL integrity unit's final sign-off, expected next week, which will determine if Addo-Carr can rejoin training.
- Whether Addo-Carr can rebuild his sponsorship portfolio after the false-positive incident.
- How the club and fans respond to his return given his previous sacking for a similar issue.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedParramatta is poised to let Josh Addo-Carr resume his career while the NRL integrity unit finalises its investigation into his false-positive roadside cocaine test.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Parramatta are poised to allow Josh Addo-Carr to resume his footballing career, pending the finalisation of the NRL integrity unit’s investigation into the circumstances that led to his false-positive result for cocaine at a random police roadside test.”
- SupportedThe Eels are awaiting integrity-unit clearance before Addo-Carr can resume his career.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The Eels are ready to welcome their cult hero back to training, but are just waiting for a final rubber stamp from the integrity unit.”
- SupportedAddo-Carr’s lawyer said: “At this stage we can't comment in relation to the outcome. We are still working through the process. However, as stated previously, we remain committed to Parramatta and hopeful Josh can continue his career with them.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““At this stage we can’t comment in relation to the outcome,” said Addo-Carr’s lawyer, Elias Tabchouri. “We are still working through the process. However, as stated previously, we remain committed to Parramatta and hopeful Josh can continue his career with them.””
- SupportedAddo-Carr said in a statement: “I have always been committed to the Parramatta Eels and nothing has changed. I turned up today with a book that has changed my life and this is a chance to put into practice what I've learnt. I feel like I've still got so much to give this club and community.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““I have always been committed to the Parramatta Eels and nothing has changed,” Addo-Carr said in a statement provided to this masthead on Tuesday. “I turned up today with a book that has changed my life and this is a chance to put into practice what I’ve learnt. I feel like I’ve still got so much to give this club and community.””
- SupportedA second oral-fluid test came back negative.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “after this masthead revealed that a second oral fluid test had come back negative”
- SupportedThe negative second test means no further police action will be taken.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “a second oral fluid test had come back negative , meaning there would be no further police action against him.”
- SupportedIntegrity-unit approval is expected next week and would clear Addo-Carr to train in the pre-season.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “That is expected to come next week, and would clear the premiership-winning winger to participate in pre-season training”
- SupportedAddo-Carr has played 234 first-grade games.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “add to his tally of 234 first-grade games.”
- SupportedAddo-Carr is in the final year of a $450,000 Parramatta contract.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “While Addo-Carr will get the chance to fulfil the final year of his $450,000 contract”
- Partly supportedThe incident cost Addo-Carr the chance of Kangaroos selection for the World Cup.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “It has cost “The Foxx”, an incumbent Australian representative, the chance to be considered for Kangaroos selection for the World Cup.”
- SupportedA raft of sponsors, including JAC Motors, P&O Cruises, Rexona and Nike, cut ties after the initial roadside drugs test.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “a raft of existing or prospective sponsors – including JAC Motors, P&O Cruises, Rexona, Nike, DoorDash, Red Bull, Weighplate and television series Rivals: Sport vs. Sport – cut ties after his initial roadside drugs test.”
- SupportedThe lost endorsements are estimated to be worth close to $400,000.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The value of those endorsements is estimated to be worth close to $400,000”