The build-up to the NRL’s finals series has been overshadowed by the fallout from a roadside drug test for high-profile Canterbury player Josh Addo-Carr, which did not follow usual police procedures and has prompted the winger to stand himself down from Sunday’s elimination final against Manly.

Addo-Carr returned an allegedly positive preliminary drug wipe on Friday night before NSW police officers took an oral sample for subsequent testing. But the officers allowed the player to drive away because they were called to a nearby home invasion before they could conduct a second drug wipe.

Addo-Carr has maintained he has not taken any drugs.

“Josh vehemently defends himself here,’’ Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould, said. “However, Josh has made the decision to stand himself down, to put the team first. I want to emphasise that Josh believes he is completely innocent. He can’t understand how he tested positive to this roadside test.”

NSW police issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon to explain why Addo-Carr was allowed to drive away despite his positive result.

“About 10.45pm on Friday, officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command were patrolling Baywater Drive, Wentworth Point, when they stopped a Toyota hatchback for random testing. The driver – a 29-year-old man – was subject to a roadside [alcohol] breath test which returned a negative result,” the statement said.

“The driver underwent a preliminary drug wipe, which allegedly returned a positive indication. An oral fluid sample was obtained and sent for further analysis. At this time, an urgent call for assistance was received in relation to a reported attempted home invasion on Church Street, Lidcombe, about 10.54pm. A secondary drug wipe was not conducted as officers were required to respond to the urgent call.”

Only if a second drug wipe returns a positive result will a driving ban be issued.

Police confirmed that while the investigation is ongoing, no charges have been laid and any legal action will be made on the outcome of the forensic analysis of the oral fluid sample, not the drug wipes.

The incident has been reviewed by Auburn Police Area Command, which was said to be “satisfied with the actions of the officers involved”. The investigation is ongoing, as police await the results of the forensic analysis.

No charges have been laid at this time, and Gould said the club accepts Addo-Carr’s belief in his innocence.

“The club will support Josh through this difficult time under the [collective bargaining] rules. We have no reason to stand Josh down from the game this weekend until the results of that last test are known,” he said.

“So far as the short term is concerned, he won’t be considered for selection this week because he stood himself down in the best interest of the club, so the boys can get on with their preparation.”

Addo-Carr has engaged lawyer Elias Tabchouri, who issued a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday.

“It is clear that Josh was pulled over and tested on Friday. That test returned a positive result. This result surprised Josh as he states and maintains that he did not ingest any drugs not prescribed by a doctor at any time.

“As per legal requirements, a secondary test was taken that has been sent away for analysis. At some point, the result of this test will be made available.”

In response to swirling rumours on Monday, Gould posted on X that the results of Addo-Carr’s roadside test were negative – which has proven to be incorrect. On Tuesday, the Bulldogs addressed allegations that his winger had lied to the club.

“Josh, in his own way, felt that this matter wouldn’t be raised again, and when he left the scene on Friday night, that that would be the end of the matter,” he said. “So I don’t think he’s deliberately misled me or lied to me, probably didn’t give me the whole version of what has happened there on the night, which I now have at my disposal.”

Gould flagged results for the second test could take “eight or 10 weeks” – way beyond the end of the NRL season. The issue has clouded what should have been a landmark week for the club, which marks the Bulldogs’ first finals appearance since 2016. The team had been building momentum in the back end of the NRL season, and its fanbase has rallied in support.