Jake Livermore to escape drugs ban: Hull City midfielder reprieved despite taking cocaine as FA consider baby’s tragic death

Jake Livermore tested positive for cocaine in April
England international, 25, faced maximum of two-year ban
But the FA decided extenuating circumstances explained failed test
Livermore took the drug in state of depression after tragic events
There may be a suspended sentence for the Hull player
Sportsmail revealed the 25-year-olds exceptional circumstance in May

Published:
10:08 GMT, 9 September 2015

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Updated:
12:13 GMT, 9 September 2015

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Jake Livermore is set to escape a ban from the FA, despite testing positive for cocaine, due to extenuating circumstances.

Failing an in-competition drugs test for a Class A drug like cocaine carries a maximum punishment of a two-year ban.

However, Sportsmail revealed the 25-year-old had turned to the drug in a state of depression after the tragic loss of his new-born baby in May last year.

Hull City midfielder Jake Livermore has avoided a ban from football after testing positive for cocaine

Livermore tested positive for cocaine in May and was suspended by Hull City and the FA as a result

Sportsmail revealed in May that Livermore failed the drugs test after the tragic death of his child

The awful circumstances had presented the FA with an unusual case and moral dilemma of what action to take.

It is understood there may still be a suspended sentence of some degree but that Livermore will be allowed to continue his career as he attempts to put his life back together on and off the pitch.

Failing an in-competition drugs test for a Class A drug like cocaine — in this instance after Hull City’s encounter at Crystal Palace in April — can earn a maximum punishment of a two-year ban.

It is believed a night out that ended with him indulging in cocaine came days after he learned the outcome of an inquest into his child’s death. The game against Palace was a few days later.

Livermore was charged by the FA in May and suspended by both Hull and the FA pending the outcome of his disciplinary hearing.

FA RULES ON ‘EXCEPTIONAL OR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES’ IN DRUG CASES

Decisions taken under these Regulations regarding exceptional or specific circumstances must be consistent. Therefore the following principles shall apply –

(a) Exceptional or specific circumstances will exist only where the circumstances are truly exceptional and not in the vast majority of cases;

(b) The evidence must be decisive and specific to explain the departure from expected standards of behaviour;

(c) A Player’s or Participant’s minority is not in itself a justification of a reduction of the minimum penalty, but youth and inexperience are factors to be taken into account in determining fault.

Livermore joined Hull for £8million from Tottenham and was looking to regain a place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad up until events in his private life took a turn for the worse.

Events around the death of his baby are still subject to ongoing legal action and cannot be reported. However, the FA’s decision reflects a desire to help Livermore and his family put their life back together.

Grammar school-educated Livermore is a player of great promise and would want to repay any FA reprieve by fulfilling his potential and justify the chance he has been given.

Hull will look to integrate him back into their squad and continue their push for a swift promotion back to the Premier League.

It is believed a night out that ended with him taking cocaine came days after an inquest into his child’s death

Livermore joined Hull for £8million and was looking to regain a place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad

JAKE LIVERMORE CAREER

Club Years Games (goals)

MK Dons 2008 5 (0)

Tottenham 2008-14 58 (1)

Derby (loan) 2009-10 16 (1)

Peterbrough (loan) 2010 9 (1)

Ipswich (loan) 2010-11 12 (0)

Leeds (loan) 2011 5 (0)

Hull (loan) 2013-14 41 (3)

Hull 2014- 39(1)

England 2012- 1(0)

When news first broke of Livermore’s failed test, Hull manager Steve Bruce appeared less than sympathetic as he battled, and ultimately failed, to haul his side clear of relegation danger.

‘He’s let himself down,’ said Bruce of Livermore. ‘Being tarnished with that is awful and he’ll have to live with the consequences of that. As a reaction I’m shocked, saddened, disappointed, angry. Why wouldn’t I be? I can’t come to terms with it, if I’m being honest. Society today is unfortunately like that.’

But there is a precedent that seems to have allowed for a degree of leniency, if it was established that Livermore was suffering some form of psychological distress at the time of his indiscretion.

Before the governing body suspended rugby player Harry Allen for taking cocaine, personal issues he was enduring at the time were taken into account. That said, Allen was still suspended for 12 months.