Former NRL player Sandor Earl has been handed a four-year drugs-related ban, delaying his potential return until 2017.

Earl, who has played for the Sydney Roosters, Penrith Panthers and Canberra Raiders, admitted to drug use and trafficking in August 2013 and was stood down.

The NRL announced his four-year ban on Wednesday after the anti-doping tribunal found Earl guilty of multiple violations.

Earl has 21 days to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

He was found to have committed multiple violations of the policy, including use and possession of CJC-1295, trafficking and attempted trafficking.

In a statement, NRL head of integrity Nick Weeks said: "The NRL is committed to eliminating performance enhancing drugs.

"We want our game to provide a fair and safe environment for players and that means taking all reasonable steps to eradicate performance enhancing drugs from rugby league."