PRO14 side Zebre have announced they have terminated the contract of prop Sami Panico after he was arrested following a raid on his home.
The Italian international forward’s home was raided, with police confiscating 1.5 kg of marijuana, 330 grams of hashish and 10,000 euros.
Panico has since been charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of sale or supply, with Zebre now cancelling the player’s contract.
“Zebre Rugby Club notifies that proceedings have been completed to terminate the contract with the player Sami Panico,” they said in a statement.
“This decision has been taken in keeping with the ethics and principles of the franchise and the contractual arrangements, and of the Federation from which it depends, and follows the suspension of the player from the Zebre Rugby Club team notified on 8 September 2018.
“The player had arrived in an unsuitable physical condition for the pre-season training, and was subsequently unreachable and had ignored all formal reprimands from the team, thus initiating formal proceedings for the final termination of the contract.”
They continued: “Zebre Rugby Club, certain of interpreting the feelings of the Federation and clubs that have contributed to the growth of the player, wishes to express its disappointment at the events that have unfolded while being quite certain that everything has been done so that rugby could be an opportunity for Mr Panico to demonstrate personal and professional growth, allowing him to make full use of his talents.
“The club also wishes to confirm its commitment to all its registered players, both on and off the field, and will continue to support the players as people, not only as athletes, in view of their full and unconditional acceptance of the institutional and ethical values which are intrinsic in sport, and in particular rugby.
“Zebre Rugby Club will make no further comment.”