FORMER Swindon Wildcats winger Nicky Watt has lost his appeal against an eight-year ban for two doping offences.

Watt, who left Swindon for Basingstoke Bison in 2013, refused to provide a urine sample during an out-of-competition test on May 27, 2014.

He later tested positive for anabolic steroid stanozolol following an out-of-competition test on June 17, 2014.

The case was referred to the National Anti-Doping Panel and a Tribunal panel consisting of Robert Englehart QC (Chair), Blondel Thompson and Terry Crystal, decided that an eight year period of ineligibity would be imposed on the athlete from 17 June 2014 to 16 June 2022. 

The National Anti-Doping panel upheld the ban and in the appeal hearing gave there reason as: "In this case the athlete is not entitled to have either offence treated as committed with no significant fault or negligence. 

"He made a deliberate decision to refuse to give a sample, to conceal the fact that he had taken cannabis, and then deliberately ingested Anavar which he knew to contain a prohibited steroid. 

"This case is exceptional but not in a way which indicates that a mandatory imposition of eight years’ ineligibility is disproportionate."

Speaking on the decision Watt said: "Hockey's been good to me, but now it's time to focus on the rest of my life."