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Ex-Georgia captain Sharikadze gets 11-year ban over urine-swapping scheme
Former Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze received an 11-year ban for involvement in a urine-swapping scheme intended to evade anti-doping tests. Several teammates were also sanctioned, and World Rugby and WADA cited a wide-ranging investigation into the Georgian program.
Why It Matters
The case highlights the ongoing importance of robust anti-doping controls and the need for transparent testing protocols to preserve the integrity of sport.
Timeline
12 Events
World Rugby details on the scope and findings of the anti-doping investigation
May 12, 2026
World Rugby stated that while the urine substitutions were not shown to conceal the use of performance-enhancing substances, there was credible evidence the substitutions aimed to conceal the use of cannabis and tramadol; no evidence supported PED use.
Sharikadze admitted providing 'clean' urine to three teammates
May 12, 2026
Sharikadze admitted providing 'clean' urine to three team-mates as part of the scheme.
Sharikadze banned for 11 years; Chkoidze 6 years; Khmaladze 3 years; Lashkhi 3 years; Modebadze 3 years; Lomidze 9 months
May 12, 2026
Merab Sharikadze received an 11-year ban from sport. Giorgi Chkoidze was banned for six years; Lasha Khmaladze, Otar Lashkhi and Miriani Modebadze received three-year suspensions; Lasha Lomidze was banned for nine months.
Sharikadze ends playing career and moves to MMA
November 2025
Merab Sharikadze ended his playing career and switched to MMA, winning his debut bout in November 2025.
Lomidze not involved in the tournament
2023
Back row Lasha Lomidze had no involvement in the tournament.
Khmaladze starts at full-back in defeat by Wales
2023
Lasha Khmaladze started at full-back in the defeat by Wales in Nantes.
Modebadze starts vs Australia; Lashkhi replaces him due to injury
2023
Wing Miriani Modebadze started the opener against Australia before being replaced by Lashkhi in the squad due to injury.
Chkoidze withdraws from World Cup squad due to injury
2023
Hooker Giorgi Chkoidze was ruled out of contention for the tournament just before it began due to an injury sustained in a warm-up match.
Georgia finishes bottom of pool at the 2023 Rugby World Cup
2023
Georgia finished bottom of their pool, with a draw against Portugal and three losses.
Sharikadze played in three pool games at the 2023 Rugby World Cup
2023
Sharikadze appeared in three of Georgia's pool games at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Sharikadze captained Georgia to win over Wales in Cardiff
2022
Merab Sharikadze, then Georgia captain, led the team to a famous win over Wales in Cardiff in 2022.
Five urine substitutions dating back to 2019 identified in stored samples
2019
World Rugby's retesting of stored samples identified five urine substitutions dating back to 2019 as part of the anti-doping investigation into Georgia.