WADA publishes revised TDSSA that will come into force on 1 January 2024

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to publish version 9.0 of the Technical Document for Sport Specific Analysis (TDSSA), which will enter into force on 1 January 2024. The revised TDSSA was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) on 16 November 2023.  

The TDSSA is a mandatory Level 2 document that must be implemented by all Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) that are signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code. The TDSSA is intended to ensure that the Prohibited Substances and/or Prohibited Methods within the scope of the TDSSA are subject to an appropriate and consistent minimum level of analysis (MLA) by all ADOs that conduct testing in those sports or disciplines deemed at risk. 

WADA conducts an annual update of the TDSSA to ensure it remains fit for purpose. In 2023, a sub-working group consisting of five members from the Strategic Testing Expert Advisory Group (STEAG) and WADA staff conducted a detailed review of the TDSSA, which included analyzing the current text of the document as well as 2015-2022 ADAMS data. The sub-working group provided its recommendations to the STEAG during its in-person meeting on 30 and 31 August 2023.  

Modifications to TDSSA version 8.0  

A summary of modifications to the TDSSA version 8.0 can be found here and the redlined version of the TDSSA version 9.0 can be found here. 

The amendments to the TDSSA will enter into force on 1 January 2024 with the exception to changes made to the MLAs for erythropoietin receptor agonists (ERAs) for four sports/disciplines which was increased from 15% to 30%. The changes to these MLAs will come into force on 1 January 2025, allowing ADOs sufficient time to incorporate these changes into their Test Distribution Plans. The four sports/disciplines are: Athletics – Combined Events, Canoe/Kayak – Ocean Racing, Orienteering and Para-Athletics, Running Middle Distance 800m - 1500m All Classes. 

Application for Flexibility 

ADOs are also reminded that in accordance with Article 4.7.2 of the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI), “an ADO may apply to WADA for flexibility in the implementation of the MLA specified for Prohibited Substances or Prohibited Methods as outlined in the TDSSA.” ADOs can apply for flexibility (up to 50%) in the implementation of the MLAs against set criteria listed in Articles 3 and 6 of the TDSSA.  

TDSSA Testing Guides 

Information on the Prohibited Substances and/or Prohibited Methods within the scope of the TDSSA and relevant guidance on Testing strategies are provided within the TDSSA Testing Guides. A Testing Guide on Gas Chromatography/Combustion/Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) is also available. ADO staff involved in test planning and target testing of athletes are advised to be familiar with these Testing Guides, which can be requested by contacting WADA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

Should you have any questions or comments regarding the TDSSA version 9.0 or the application for flexibility, we invite you to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

AIU bans Santos and disqualifies his ‘World Junior’ Title

Luguelín Santos has been banned by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for three years for age-manipulation violations at the IAAF World Junior Championships (Barcelona 2012); his three-year period of ineligibility running from 11 March 2023 to 10 March 2026.

The Dominican Republic athlete – the 400-metre gold medallist at the event (now known as the World Athletics U20 Championships) – admitted to competing in the 2012 age-group championships with a passport showing a falsified date of birth – 12 November 1993 – when in fact he born on that date in 1992. Thus, he was ineligible to participate in the World Juniors 2012 which, based on the 2012 Competition Rules, required junior athletes to be aged 18 or 19 on 31 December of the competition year.

“Our ongoing investigations have been unearthing a disturbing level of cheating, through age manipulation, which has distorted results of junior athletics competitions at the highest level. In this instance, a World Junior champion was wrongfully crowned, and the rightful winner was denied his moment of glory,” noted AIU Head Brett Clothier.

“Beyond that, age manipulation is challenging us to confront serious issues, including embedded cultures which are teaching youth inappropriate values, as well as providing the means for athletes’ ages to be altered in national documents, and ultimately celebrating ill-gotten victories. The AIU stands firmly against such actions and will pursue all such alleged violations vigorously.”

Santos, now aged 31, was charged with three violations of the World Athletics (formerly IAAF) Competition Rules 2012-2013: Rule 141 (participating whilst not eligible); Rule 9.6 (engaging in corrupt practices in relation to Athletics) and Rule 9.10(c) (failing to report any approaches or invitations to engage in conduct that would amount to a violation of Rule 9). He was also charged with violating Articles C.4 and C.6 of the IAAF Code of Ethics, in force from 1 May 2012, by engaging in corrupt practices relating to the sport of Athletics under Rule 9 of the Competition Rules. His fifth charge related to violating the Integrity Standard set out in Section 3.3.1 of the World Athletics Integrity Code of Conduct, in force from 3 April 2017, for failing to act with utmost integrity and honesty at all times in entering International Competitions from 3 April 2017 onwards using a falsified document.

From 2010 to 2017, Santos declared 1993 as his birth year for competitions. However, in February 2018, he declared his birthdate was 12 November 1992, based on a passport issued in 2018. The athlete continued using his 1992 birthdate throughout 2018. A 1992 birthdate meant that on 31 December 2012, Santos would have been 20 years old and thus ineligible to compete as a “junior” at the World Junior Championships 2012. When confronted with this assertion by the AIU, the athlete revealed that, on instructions, he had obtained a ‘special passport’ issued by the Dominican authorities which gave his date of birth as being 12 November 1993, contrary to his actual date of birth of 12 November 1992. Santos also told the AIU that he had been directed to use the ‘special passport’ with the false birth year (1993) for competitions, but the genuine passport (birth year 1992) for all other official purposes.

Santos admitted using the ‘special passport' for entry into the World Junior Championships 2012 though he was over-age and ineligible and provided supporting documentation to the AIU to verify his claim. On 8 July 2022, the AIU provisionally suspended Santos and, on 22 December 2022, issued him with a Notice of Charge regarding the alleged violations.

On 13 January 2023, Santos signed an admission and acceptance form regarding the violations in the Notice of Charge and, on 28 June 2023, the athlete further confessed to participating in a competition whilst ineligible on 11 March 2023. The three-year period therefore starts anew on the date of his participation whilst ineligible, i.e. on 11 March 2023, and will now end on 10 March 2026. He has accepted these consequences and waived his right to have them determined by the Disciplinary Tribunal at a hearing.

While this sanction disqualifies Santos’ gold-medal result at the World Junior Championships in July 2012, it does not affect the silver medal which he claimed in the 400 metres at the London 2012 Olympic Games the following month.

“This historic case was adjudicated under Rule 22.2 of the IAAF Competition Rules 2012- 2013 which states the athlete shall be disqualified from the competition and forfeit any titles or other awards from that competition,” explained Clothier.

“However, unlike with sanctions for doping violations, there was no 2012 rule that provided for the disqualification of future results in age-eligibility cases, so there is no basis on which to annul his Olympic result as that was not an age-group event and no violation was committed there.”

Additionally, he pointed out that Santos’ three-year sanction was determined under the relevant Competition Rule in 2012 (Rule 9) which provided for a range of sanction between two and four years. The AIU sought a four-year ban which was reduced to three years when Santos promptly admitted the charges.

Regarding the delay in announcing Santos’ sanction, Clothier disclosed this was due to ongoing investigations of third-party involvement in this matter, notably relating to the procurement of the ‘special passport’ for Santos.

U.S. Weightlifting Athlete Evan Forrest Accepts Sanction for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

USADA announced today that Evan Forrest, of Winston-Salem, N.C., an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, has accepted a three-year period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation after testing positive for several potent performance-enhancing drugs.

“Testing continues to be a crucial way to detect doping and hold accountable athletes who are deliberately cheating their opponents,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “In these cases, it’s important that we apply the full force of the rules to ensure these bad actors can’t continue to corrupt sport at any level of competition.”

Forrest, 29, tested positive for boldenone and drostanolone, as well as metabolites of these substances, and also tested positive for metabolites of methandienone and nandrolone as the result of a urine sample collected at the 2023 North American Open Series 2 on September 17, 2023. Additionally, Forrest’s urine sample was analyzed using a specialized test known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), that unequivocally differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and AAS of synthetic origin. The IRMS analysis further confirmed the presence of exogenous testosterone and its metabolites in Forrest’s sample.

All substances are Non-Specified Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents and are prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policy, and the International Weightlifting Federation Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

Under Article 10.8.1 of the Code, an athlete who faces an anti-doping rule violation that carries a period of ineligibility of four or more years may receive a one-year sanction reduction if the athlete admits the violation and accepts the asserted sanction within 20 days of notification of the alleged anti-doping rule violation charge. Per the rule, Forrest qualified for a one-year reduction to the otherwise applicable four-year period of ineligibility.

Forrest’s three-year period of ineligibility began on October 25, 2023, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Forrest has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to September 17, 2023, the date his positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

In an effort to aid athletes, as well as support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to file and update athlete Whereabouts, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements, as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.

In addition, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online (GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, a clean sport handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.

USADA makes available a number of ways to report the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sport in an effort to protect clean athletes and promote clean competition. Any tip can be reported using the USADA Play Clean Tip Center, by text at 87232 (“USADA”), by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by phone at 1-877-Play Clean (1-877-752-9253) or by mail.

USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

Entry for students to win £1500 prize extended - 5th Sports Law Arbitration Moot

The RFEF and the Spanish Government take further steps to fight against illegal sports betting

CAS decision rules in favour of Yves Diba in absence of sufficient NDRC in DR Congo

• CAS ruled that the Football Federation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FECOFA) committed a denial of justice against former international Yves Diba
  
  
• Diba had filed a claim in relation to an employment contract dispute and, with it being of a national dimension, he had no choice but to file his claim with FECOFA
  
  
• Faced with this silence and inaction, Diba turned to CAS in July 2022 and filed a claim against FECOFA for denial of justice

A significant decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favour of a Congolese footballer who had previously been denied justice due to the lack of a sufficient National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC) in DR Congo.

In a recent award, CAS ruled that the Football Federation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FECOFA) committed a denial of justice against former international Yves Diba.

In October 2021, Diba filed a claim in relation to an employment contract dispute he had with AS Vita, a club in DR Congo’s top-flight. With the dispute being of a national dimension, Diba had no choice but to file his claim with FECOFA, who, as per its own statutes, were obliged to adjudicate.

Despite several written reminders sent by Diba, FECOFA failed to formally open a procedure in order to pass a decision. Faced with this silence and inaction, Diba turned to CAS in July 2022 and filed a claim against FECOFA for denial of justice.

CAS sided with the 20-time DR Congo international and ruled that such an unjustified delay in passing a decision constituted a denial of justice. They ordered FECOFA to promptly deal with the claim to swiftly render a decision and ruled that FECOFA must pay all costs in relation to the CAS procedure.

FIFPRO Legal Director Roy Vermeer said: “Yves Diba’s experience is not an isolated case – denial of justice is a recurring issue faced by too many players in too many national football associations.

“A number of national football associations around the world do not provide for national dispute resolution chambers that respect players’ rights, and too often the chambers that exist on paper are actually not operative.”

A lack of a proper NDRC can have severe consequences for players at domestic level, leaving them forced into a system that does not guarantee fair proceedings. It can mean abusive behaviour can go unchallenged and breach of contracts are allowed to flourish in complete impunity.

Vermeer said: “If a national football association creates an NDRC, it must simply ensure that it complies with the principles established by FIFA. This not only protects players’ rights, but also provides for a healthy football economy and ecosystem.”

Slovenian tennis official suspended

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Slovenian tennis official Marko Ducman has been suspended from the sport for 10 years and six months after admitting to breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). 

Ducman, an international-level official, admitted to four breaches of the TACP, including wagering on tennis matches and manipulating data from matches in which they were an official to facilitate betting.

Ducman, a bronze-badge official who has officiated at ITF, ATP and WTA tournaments, co-operated fully with the ITIA investigation and accepted an agreed sanction, waiving their right to a hearing before an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer. Ducman has also been fined $75,000, with $56,250 suspended.

The official has been provisionally suspended since 8 September 2023, and time served under provisional suspension will be credited against Ducman’s period of ineligibility. As such, their suspension will end on 7 March 2034.

During the suspension, Ducman is prohibited from officiating at or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA: ATP, ITF, WTA, Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open, or any national association. 

 The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide. 

THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (CAS) REGISTERS TWO REQUESTS FOR ARBITRATION FILED BY THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (WADA) IN RELATION TO THE RUSSIAN ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (RUSADA) AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE FOR DRUG-FREE SPORT (SAIDS)

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered two Requests for Arbitration filed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in relation to (non-)compliance matters concerning the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) and the South African Institute for Drug-free Sport (SAIDS).

On 22 September 2023, the WADA Executive Committee endorsed the recommendation of its Compliance Review Committee (CRC) which alleged RUSADA to be non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADC) due to Russia’s federal sports legislation not being considered to be in line with the 2021 WADC. Similarly, on the same day, the WADA Executive Committee also endorsed the recommendation of the CRC to allege SAIDS as non-compliant with the WADC due to South Africa’s legislation not being considered to be in line with the 2021 WADA Code. Since both RUSADA and SAIDS have disputed their non-compliance, as set out in the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), WADA has submitted both matters to the CAS Ordinary Arbitration Division for resolution.

Two separate CAS arbitration procedures have been registered. The procedures will be conducted according to the provisions of the ISCCS and the Code of Sports-related Arbitration (the CAS Code). In summary, for each procedure, there will be an exchange of written submissions while a Panel of three arbitrators is simultaneously constituted in accordance with the provisions of Article 9.4.1 of the ISCCS. Once appointed, the Panel for each matter will issue directions for the next phase of the proceedings and shall, save for extensions of time requested by the parties or other exceptional circumstances, issue its reasoned decision no later than three months after the date of its constitution. The Panels’ decisions will be publicly reported by CAS.

The decisions issued by the CAS Panels will be final and binding with the exception of the parties’ right to file an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days on limited grounds.

Sanction: Weightlifting

Rugby League player Harry Aaronson serves one-month ban for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today confirmed that Rugby League player Harry Aaronson received a one-month ban from all sport following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for the presence of a Prohibited Substance in his urine Sample. At the time of this announcement, the ban has been served and the player is free to resume participation in sport.

On 21 May 2023, UKAD collected an In-Competition urine Sample from Mr Aaronson at a Betfred League 1 game between Rochdale Hornets and Cornwall RLFC. Analysis of this Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for cocaine and its Metabolite benzoylecgonine.

Cocaine is listed under section S6A of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2023 Prohibited List as a stimulant. It is a non-Specified Substance that is prohibited In-Competition only and known as a ‘Substance of Abuse’.

The UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), which implement the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code for sports in the UK, set out specific rules on how ADRVs relating to Substances of Abuse should be managed. Shorter bans of three months are available for such substances when found In-Competition if their ingestion takes place Out-of-Competition and in a context unrelated to sport performance. A further reduction in the length of ban, down to one-month, is available if an Athlete satisfactorily completes a Substance of Abuse treatment programme approved by UKAD.

On 3 July 2023, UKAD notified Mr Aaronson that he may have committed ADRVs in violation of the ADR. Mr Aaronson was also provisionally suspended from this date.

On 7 and 14 July 2023, Mr Aaronson responded to UKAD’s notice letter, admitting that he had taken cocaine recreationally in a social setting during the Out-of-Competition period. UKAD instructed a scientific expert to examine whether the concentration of cocaine and its Metabolite benzoylecgonine detected in Mr Aaronson’s Sample was consistent with the explanation he provided. The scientific expert’s opinion was that Mr Aaronson’s explanation was plausible.   

UKAD charged Mr Aaronson on 1 September 2023 with the commission of an ADRV under ADR Article 2.1 (presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample). On 4 September 2023, Mr Aaronson accepted the charge and informed UKAD that he had completed a Substance of Abuse treatment programme, and shared the treatment programme report with UKAD. UKAD reviewed the contents of the report and in accordance with its own policy ‘Substances of Abuse: Policy for determining approved treatment programmes’ was able to grant a reduced period of Ineligibility of one month.

Mr Aaronson has been afforded credit for the time he has spent provisionally suspended (since 3 July 2023). Mr Aaronson’s period of Ineligibility is therefore deemed served and he is free to resume participation in sport.

Speaking on the case, UKAD Director of Operations, Hamish Coffey said:

“Athletes need to abide by the Anti-Doping Rules and know that using cocaine and other ‘recreational drugs’ Out-of-Competition can still result in a ban from sport.

“These drugs carry serious health risks to Athletes. The Substance of Abuse treatment programme helps Athletes recognise the dangers of substance misuse and identify where to turn to for support in the future.”

The Rugby Football League and Rugby League Cares, the sport’s independent charity which leads on player welfare, added:

“Rugby League supports UKAD in its testing programme of players at all levels of the sport, in and out of competition, and in this case specifically the recent introduction of the Substance of Abuse programme following positive tests for recreational drugs – supporting players in recognising the dangers of substance misuse, and explaining the range of options for ongoing support – which in Rugby League is led by RL Cares.”

KICK IT OUT AND THE FA LAUNCH GRASSROOTS ACTION PLAN TO TACKLE DISCRIMINATION

Alongside Kick It Out, we have today launched a new joint action plan to proactively tackle incidents of discrimination and serious misconduct in grassroots football.

The action plan follows new research we commissioned with Kick It Out, which was undertaken to help identify ways to improve reporting, awareness, and handling of incidents of discrimination and serious misconduct in the grassroots game.

The research confirmed that incidents of discrimination in grassroots football could be more than double the reported figures of 1,894 incidents for the 2021-22 season. It also found that while almost all incidents experienced by ethnic minority groups met sanctioning thresholds, these incidents were significantly more likely to go unreported. 

Of the 3,417 participants surveyed, 42% of respondents had encountered a discriminatory incident during their time in grassroots football with 26% experiencing or witnessing discrimination in the past 12 months. 

More than a third witnessed abuse based on race (37%), followed by colour (31%) and ethnic origin (26%). In addition, 19% had seen discrimination based on gender, 16% based on sexual orientation and 6% witnessed those with disabilities targeted. 

The research also identified a widespread perception among grassroots participants that action would not be taken if discriminatory abuse was reported, with only 34% of respondents believing that incidents lead to a charge. However, while every report is investigated, 62% of reported incidents led to a charge during this period.* 

Several barriers to reporting were identified, including fear of the consequences after reporting an incident, a desire by victims to put incidents behind them, low confidence that action will be taken, uncertainty around the seriousness of an incident, and a lack of awareness of the reporting process.

More than half of women (56%) who have experienced discriminatory abuse stated that they experienced it based on their sex or gender.

Abuse is not only classed as verbal, but also less overt forms of discrimination. For example, the survey also included participant feedback saying that there was a greater perception among women and ethnic minorities that they were more likely to not be picked for teams or face decisions going against them based on protected characteristics. Not being welcomed at a club was the second most common form of discriminatory abuse experienced by Asian participants.

Using the insight gathered, alongside Kick It Out we have developed a joint action plan focusing on three areas: increasing awareness and knowledge of serious incidents; improving reporting; and tackling specific problem areas where serious incidents are most prevalent. 

As part of this work, Kick It Out has expanded its grassroots team, developed specific educational resources, created better pitch access opportunities for underrepresented groups, and is working to increase the number of clubs and leagues they interact with through Kick It Out’s Equality Charter.

The action plan also builds on our ongoing work to address unacceptable and discriminatory behaviour across the grassroots game, which includes the introduction of point deductions for teams that commit repeated offences. We have also launched a new EDI ambassador scheme across our County FA network, approved reduced regulatory time limits, and is set to expand its body camera trial for more grassroots referees. Meanwhile, we recently launched Enough is Enough, a campaign which aims to raise awareness of discriminatory behaviour and its consequences in grassroots football.

The research comes ahead of us publishing our Annual Discipline Review for the first time, to provide greater transparency on reporting statistics and the number of cases that have resulted in proven outcomes. It is hoped this will improve confidence in the reporting process across the grassroots game. 

Tajean Hutton, Kick It Out’s Head of Grassroots Football, said: "It’s clear that discrimination remains a serious issue in grassroots football and that several barriers still exist which prevent participants, particularly ethnic minorities and women, from reporting incidents. 

"It’s vital that we find solutions to removing those obstacles and this research gives us invaluable insight into what is happening at a grassroots level, as well as equipping our grassroots team with the knowledge to tackle the issues identified head-on.  

"We commend The FA’s commitment to addressing serious incidents in grassroots football and will continue to work closely with our partners across the game to ensure that tackling discrimination is at the top of football’s agenda."

FA Head of Grassroots Operations, Tim Foster, said: "Together with our partners at Kick It Out, we are committed to creating a game that is safe, welcoming and free from any form of discrimination. Building a good understanding of the challenges we face is very important – and this new research provides us with valuable insight that will help us to focus on the key areas where we can make a positive difference. 

"Each season, over 100,000 teams participate in over one million fixtures across the country, and whilst reported incidents of discrimination are not commonplace, we know from this research that the number is growing and can often go unreported. To help tackle this, The FA and Kick It Out have developed a joint action plan to ensure that perpetrators face consequences for their actions, with stronger sanctions already in place, whilst also making the reporting of incidents easier and helping to build trust in the process."

Reporting should be everyone’s responsibility – not just those who experience it. If you witness discrimination at a game, report it to  the match officials, Kick It Out, The FA, or your local County FA so the matter can be fully investigated.

Together we will Kick it Out.

* This belief is higher among referees (45%) but lower among ethnic minorities groups (30%), particularly people from Asian backgrounds (26%).

Suspension of athlete Valentina Riasova for doping violation

World Triathlon can report that a urine sample collected from Russian triathlete Valentina Riasova returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for the prohibited substance 5-Methylhexaneamine. The sample was collected at in-competition testing on 25 September 2021, at the Europe Triathlon Championships Valencia. On 12 September 2022, World Triathlon reached a decision on the case and imposed a ban of six (6) months on Riasova, from 12 September 2022 to 11 March 2023.

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) appealed World Triathlon’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting a longer ban. On 15 September 2023, CAS upheld that appeal and reached the decision to ban the athlete from racing for a period of two (2) years from 15 September 2023 to 14 March 2025 (taking into account the period of ineligibility already served).

The athlete is disqualified (DSQ) from the event in Valencia where the sample was collected.

What you need to know about the WADA 2024 Prohibited List

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes a comprehensive document known as the Prohibited List, which contains details of the substances and methods that are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports.

The List is one of eight mandatory International Standards for signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).

The Prohibited List is updated annually and comes into effect on 1 January every year, and any changes to the Prohibited List are made public every year in early October for changes applicable to the upcoming year.

HOW DO I NAVIGATE THE PROHIBITED LIST?

WADA publishes Guidelines for Human Source Management

The World Anti-Doping Agency is pleased to publish new Guidelines for Human Source Management (Guidelines), which will serve as a model of best practice for the management of Human Sources by Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs). 

The use of a Human Source, a term that includes informants and whistleblowers, is a legitimate and important investigative tool in the fight against doping and has been an integral part of the prosecution of many Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) cases. The management of Human Sources must be of the highest ethical and professional standard to ensure the protection of their identity and the confidentiality of the information they provide. 

To that end, WADA Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) has produced these Guidelines to support ADOs in the development and management of Human Source programs. The Guidelines, which feature fundamental principles and best practices, are part of WADA’s ongoing work to better educate ADOs on important investigative methodologies and practices in this important area. 

Damien Larin, Head of WADA’s Confidential Information Unit, stressed the importance of implementing proper Source Management principals, stating that “managing confidential Human Sources is not an activity that should be taken lightly. WADA and the anti-doping community have a responsibility to ensure that Human Sources who help support investigations are protected and that their information is safeguarded. The best way to ensure this is by developing a Human Source program built on the fundamentals of documentation, oversight, direction, and risk management. The Guidelines provide practical guidance on how to accomplish this, but also set a standard for ADOs that are currently working with Human Sources. We’re very encouraged that this important area continues to grow, and WADA I&I is invested in ensuring that it is done the right way.” 

HISA Submits Proposed ADMC Rule Changes to FTC for Approval

Belgian tennis players suspended

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that seven Belgian tennis players have been suspended from the sport after admitting to breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). 
 
The sanctions are linked to a recently concluded criminal case involving a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium. Collaboration between the ITIA and Belgian authorities led to a five-year custodial sentence for the leader of the syndicate, Grigor Sargsyan.  
 
All seven players - Arnaud Graisse, Arthur de Greef, Julien Dubail, Romain Barbosa, Maxime Authom, Omar Salman, and Alec Witmeur  - were convicted by the criminal court and have subsequently agreed sanctions with the ITIA. 
 
Three players – Witmeur, de Greef and Barbosa - have been provisionally suspended by an AHO since May 2021 when they were formally charged in the criminal process in Belgium, as they were active players at that time. Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against these players’ periods of ineligibility. Witmeur admitted to six breaches of the TACP, while de Greef and Barbosa both admitted to nine breaches. 
 
As such, their sanctions are as follows: 
 
- Arthur de Greef, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 113 in 2017, has been suspended for three years and nine months, and fined $45,000 with $31,500 suspended. De Greef’s suspension ends on 26 February 2025. 
- Romain Barbosa, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 403 in 2016, has been suspended for three years and nine months, and fined $45,000 – with $31,500 suspended. Barbosa’s suspension ends on 26 February 2025. 
- Alec Witmeur, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 1056 in 2011, has been suspended for two years and seven months, and fined $30,000 – with $21,000 suspended. Witmeur’s suspension ends on 26 December 2023 
 
For the remaining four players – Graisse (12 breaches), Dubail (nine breaches), Salman (six breaches) and Authom (six breaches) – the sanctions take effect from the date of their agreed sanction.  
 
Their sanctions are as follows: 
 
- Arnaud Graisse, unranked, has been suspended for four years and 10 months, and fined $60,000 - with $42,000 suspended. Graisse’s suspension began on 2 October 2023, and will end on 1 August 2028. 
 - Julien Dubail, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 371 in 2012, has been suspended for three years and nine months, and fined $45,000 – with $31,500 suspended. Dubail’s suspension began on 4 October 2023, and will end on 3 July 2027. 
 - Maxime Authom, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 143 in 2013, has been suspended for three years and nine months, and fined $30,000 – with $21,000 suspended. Authom’s suspension began on 28 October 2023 and will end on 27 July 2027. 
- Omar Salman, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 464 in 2018, has been suspended for two years and seven months, and fined $30,000 – with $21,000 suspended. Salman’s suspension began on 9 October 2023, and will end on 8 May 2026. 
 
These sanctions conclude ITIA proceedings against Belgian players in relation to the Sargsyan match-fixing ring, though syndicate cases relating to players from outside Belgium remain ongoing. 
 
During the players’ suspensions, they are prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA: ATP, ITF, WTA, Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open, or any national association. 
 
The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide. 

Public Statement on Disciplinary Action Against Participant Burak “Monkeylay” Can Turunc

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has concluded its investigation and is taking decisive action against Mr. Burak “Monkeylay” Can Turunc, a professional esports player formerly of the team “NoChance”, for multiple breaches of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code.

After thorough investigations, Mr. Turunc was served with a Formal Notice of Charge for violations of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code during the Intel ESL Turkiye CS:GO Sampiyonasi – Sezon XII – Playoffs. The allegations pertain to corrupt practices, including betting against his own team, “NoChance,” and breaching the ESIC Code of Conduct.

Overview of the Case

Mr. Turunc is alleged to have engaged in activities that contravene the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code during the Intel ESL Turkiye CS:GO Sampiyonasi – Sezon XII – Playoffs, specifically:

• Betting against his own team during the competition,
• Engaging in practices that influence the outcome of matches for betting purposes.

Investigation and Charges

The investigation included examining betting records, account registrations, digital footprints, and betting patterns. The ESIC thanks its Anti-Corruption Supporter member betting operators for providing evidence that was crucial in establishing the charges against Mr. Turunc.

Mr. Turunc is charged with a breach of the following articles of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code:

2 .1 Corruption:

2.1.1 Fixing or contriving in any way or otherwise influencing improperly, or being a party to any agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly, the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any Match, including (without limitation) by deliberately underperforming therein.

 2.1.2 Ensuring for Betting or other corrupt purposes the occurrence of a particular incident in a Match or Event.

 2.1.3 Seeking, accepting, offering or agreeing to accept any bribe or other Reward to: (a) fix or to contrive in any way or otherwise to influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any Match; or (b) ensure for Betting or other corrupt purposes the occurrence of a particular incident in a Match.

2.2 Betting:

2.2.1 Betting on any CS:GO Match, especially those in which you participate as a player.

2.2.2 Facilitating, aiding, abetting, or otherwise assisting any party in committing acts described in 2.2.1.

2.3.1 Failing to disclose to the ESIC a full and true disclosure of all the facts and circumstances with respect to acts described in 2.1 and 2.2.

Further offences under the ESIC Code of Conduct articles as follows;

 2.4.5 Where the facts of the alleged incident are not adequately or clearly covered by any of the above offences, conduct that brings Esport, the Game, Event, ESIC or a Member into disrepute.

Despite the presentation of substantial evidence and the provision of a plea bargain that would result in a minimum two-year exclusion from all ESIC member events, Mr. Turunc has not engaged with ESIC’s disciplinary process. He has neither responded to the Notice of Charge nor the offered plea bargain.

Sanction Duration

Consequently, in adherence to ESIC’s regulatory framework and the gravity of the charges, the Commission is left with no alternative but to proceed with the imposition of the sanctions as per the Anti-Corruption Code. The imposed sanction will be a ban of two years from the date of the initial Notice of Charge, extending until midnight on 6th September 2025. During this period, Mr. Turunc is barred from participating in any capacity within ESIC member events.

CAF launches CAF Research Hub to support African Football Development

The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) has announced the launch of the CAF Research Hub that is aimed at providing support to CAF's Member Associations and their Development Projects.

The CAF Research Hub will focus on how the information is gathered and used. As research has played a significant role in the advancement of football in recent times, CAF invested in this new tool to aid its Member Associations and Zonal Unions.

CAF Member Associations Director Sarah Mukuna said: “The CAF Research Hub is aimed to provide data-driven insights into African football.  Its mission will be to conduct research that informs action, gather evidence for theories relevant to the African context. With the CAF Research Hub we will contribute to developing and disseminating knowledge to our Member Associations and the African football stakeholders”.

Led by the CAF Member Associations Division, the Research Hub prioritizes research in Youth Football, Women's Football, Football Administration, Medical, and Football Performance.

A pilot project is being launched across all six Zonal Unions during the second edition of the CAF African Schools Programme, which is a unique opportunity to gain context-based information. This pilot project will use the data that is already available to provide insights into the experience of African youth football and the impact of the CAF African Schools Football Championship on the continent.

By the end of the first research project phase, CAF plans to transform its development structures to provide services to all Member Associations, both sporting and administrative.

Lead researcher Dr. Nonhlanhla Mkumbuzi, said: “The CAF Research Hub is a great initiative by CAF. It aims to provide member associations and research institutions on the continent with opportunities to collaborate in conducting African football research. The impact of the Research Hub will be in providing stakeholders in African football with an evidence base to allow the adoption of data driven, context driven capacity building initiative and decision making in African football at all levels of the game.”

FIFA implements comprehensive anti-doping programme at FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™

The most comprehensive anti-doping programme at a FIFA U-17 World Cup™ has been carried out at this year’s edition of the tournament in Indonesia. Over 200 urine samples have been collected in and out of competition, as well as more than 40 dried blood spot samples, which have been gathered for the first time ever in the competition’s history.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2023™ will leave a lasting legacy to the Indonesian anti-doping landscape, as the Indonesia Anti-Doping Organisation (IADO) has boosted its knowledge and experience by joining forces with FIFA’s anti-doping experts.

FIFA and IADO worked together in the lead-up and throughout the tournament , with the Indonesian doping control representatives receiving comprehensive training and assisting FIFA’s doping control officers during all in- and out-of-competition testing. 

“Besides the anti-doping measures implemented before and during the competition, the exchanges held with local anti-doping officers will enable them to further develop anti-doping activities in Indonesia, which represents yet another aspect of the tournament’s positive legacy,” said FIFA Head of Anti-Doping Alexis Weber.

The tournament is marking the strongest out of competition testing in the history of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Also, educational videos were presented to participating teams at their respective Team Arrival Meetings, with all players receiving information on how the doping control process works and the aspects to consider when using food supplements, among other matters.

Public Statement on Outcome of Provisional Sanction against Participant Joel “Joel” Holmlund

In September, the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) provisionally suspended Mr. Joel Hulmlund for serious breaches of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code (see our Statement here: Public Statement on Disciplinary Action Against Participant Joel “Joel” Holmlund – ESIC).

Notably, the provisional suspension of Mr. Holmlund, was related to his behavior while being a professional player for the team Godsent. Namely, that he had engaged in corrupt behavior contravening the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code during his participation in the BetBoom Playlist Urbanistic event, and separately in the IEM Dallas 2023 (Europe Closed Qualifier) involving Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), in the following manner:

1. Between the period of 27 March 2023 to 28 March 2023, Mr. Holmlund placed bets on matches he was playing in;
2. On 31 March 2023, Mr. Holmlund placed two bets against his own team in one match; and
3. Between the period of 29 March 2023 to 1 May 2023, Mr. Holmlund proceeded to place 17 bets on various CS:GO matches.

As part of ESIC’s process in this matter, Mr. Holmlund was given an opportunity to provide further evidence on or before 6 October 2023, and to further cooperate with ESIC’s investigation. While Mr. Holmlund was unable to provide any evidence to the contrary of ESIC’s charges, Mr. Holmlund made significant efforts to cooperate with ESIC’s investigation.

Importantly, as a result of ESIC’s investigation, and with significant consideration of Mr. Holmlund’s cooperation, assistance, genuine contrition and commitment to seeking professional help, ESIC has concluded this investigation by issuing Mr. Holmlund with a Rejection Order spanning the period of 30 August 2023 to 6 January 2024.

This In the interest of transparency and public confidence, we are issuing this statement to inform the public about the considerations taken into account in arriving at the outcome of this matter and to provide examples of the matters and actions ESIC may consider in any future interaction with a participant under investigation or convicted of an offence under the ESIC Codes.

Assistance with Investigations:

ESIC is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and fair play in the esports industry. As part of our commitment, ESIC sometimes offer individuals under investigation, or those already convicted, the opportunity to assist in our broader investigations. This can lead to a reduction in their sanctions or, in certain cases, exemption from prosecution. In the recent investigation involving Mr. Holmlund, he provided ESIC with crucial information pertinent to various ongoing inquiries. His full and candid cooperation was helpful to ESIC’s ongoing investigations. Consequently, we have decided that a reduction in Mr. Holmlund’s suspension is warranted and aligns with the principles of fairness and justice.

ESIC encourages individuals facing investigation or sanction within the esports industry to come forward and collaborate with ESIC. By providing valuable information and aiding in our investigations, they not only contribute to the integrity and transparency of the esports industry but also stand to benefit from potential reductions in their penalties. This approach underscores our commitment to fairness and the importance of cooperative efforts in maintaining the highest ethical standards in esports. We believe that this approach not only aids in effective enforcement but also fosters a culture of responsibility and honesty among participants.

Recognition of Gambling Problems and Consequences

It became apparent early in our interactions with Mr. Holmlund that he fit the gambling industry’s definition of a problem gambler – someone who lacks control over their gambling habits and exhibits signs of addiction. Throughout his initial discussions with ESIC, where Mr. Holmlund was supported by skilled legal counsel, he acknowledged his gambling issues and agreed to pursue professional counseling and treatment. ESIC considers this behavioral issue as a significant factor contributing to Mr. Holmlund’s involvement in betting on CSGO, which was in violation of the ESIC Codes. However, Mr. Holmlund’s commitment to seek help was considered favorably when concluding on the duration of the Rejection Order issued.

Apology and Commitments to the Community

Mr. Holmlund has not only expressed his willingness to apologise to the CS and wider esports community for his actions (as detailed in his statement below and on social media), but he has also agreed to collaborate with ESIC in our participant education program. He will contribute by creating video content that highlights the risks associated with betting on one’s professional game and more broadly addresses the negative aspects of gambling, especially for those who struggle with responsible gambling. ESIC is confident that Mr. Holmlund’s involvement in this initiative will greatly benefit the esports community by enhancing understanding and management of the relationship between esports and betting on these events.

Suggestions of Match-Fixing

It has been alleged that, in addition to the betting offences committed by Mr. Holmlund, he also deliberately underperformed in order to win bets where he had bet against his own team. Upon further investigation and assessment, and in the interest of justice, ESIC wishes to clarify that there is no compelling or conclusive evidence that this is true.

Practical Outcomes

The conclusion of this investigation and the corresponding Rejection Order duration will mean that Mr. Holmlund will have served an effective 7 month ban from ESIC member events, which we believe is proportionate to his original offences when looked at together with the assistance and commitments detailed above. Accordingly, he is free to play in any ESIC member event from 6^th January 2024 onwards.

Statement from Mr. Holmlund

Dear Members of the Esports Community,

 I am writing this statement to openly and sincerely apologize for my actions that have affected the CSGO and broader esports community. It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge my involvement in betting on professional CSGO matches, a clear violation of the ESIC Codes and the trust you placed in me as a member of this community.

 Reflecting on my actions, I realize the gravity of my mistake and the negative impact it has had on the integrity of the sport we all love and cherish. My behavior was not only irresponsible but also undermined the principles of fair play and sportsmanship that are the foundation of competitive gaming.

 I understand that being a professional in the esports industry carries with it a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of conduct. My actions fell short of these standards, and for that, I am truly sorry. I have let down my fans, teammates, and the entire esports community, and for this, I take full responsibility.

 As part of my commitment to rectify my actions, I have agreed to participate in ESIC’s participant education program. Through this, I aim to share my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned, highlighting the dangers of betting on professional games and the broader risks associated with irresponsible gambling. I hope that by sharing my story, I can prevent others from making similar mistakes and contribute positively to the community I care deeply about.

 I am currently seeking professional counseling and treatment for my gambling issues. This journey towards recovery is not just about complying with the sanctions but is a personal commitment to better myself and rebuild the trust I have lost.

 I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from my mistakes and to contribute to the betterment of the esports community. Thank you for your understanding and support during this time.

 Sincerely,

Joel

 ESIC’s Commitment to Integrity

ESIC remains steadfast in our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in esports. We will continue to conduct investigations and impose sanctions when necessary to protect the integrity of the industry. We also encourage the esports community to actively participate in promoting fair play and integrity in esports. We would strongly encourage participants with knowledge of corrupt acts to come forward and talk to us. We are already discretely working with several players in addition to Joel to either indemnify them from prosecution in return for valuable information or to reduce sanctions in return for information leading to prosecution of bad actors in esports. If you know something, please consider coming forward voluntarily or face harsher sanctions when you are eventually caught.

Public Statement on Disciplinary Action Against Participants Dmytro “SENSEi” Shvorak, Maksym “THRONE” Semenov, Artur “DarkS1DE” Kravchenko, and Danylo “nat1ve” Bakin

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has taken decisive action to suspend Mr. Dmytro “SENSEi” Shvorak, Mr. Maksym “THRONE” Semenov, Mr. Artur “DarkS1DE” Kravchenko, and Mr. Danylo “nat1ve” Bakin, professional esports players, from all ESIC Member events for two years following investigations into teams Akuma, Project X and Majesty corroborating allegations of multiple breaches of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code and significant evidence of suspicious and unusual betting on matches involving these players.

Overview of the Case

The investigations into these individuals were prompted by betting evidence and confidential information confirming their involvement in match-fixing activities. These activities, contravening the ESIC Code of Conduct and Anti-Corruption Code, include:

1. Dmytro “SENSEi” Shvorak’s attempted engagement in match-fixing activities during several LAN events with Team Project X.
2. Maksym “THRONE” Semenov’s participation in match-fixing activities during a Bulgarian LAN event with Team Majesty between August and December 2020.
3. Artur “DarkS1DE” Kravchenko’s involvement in similar activities during a Bulgarian LAN event with Team Majesty.
4. Danylo “nat1ve” Bakin’s participation in match-fixing activities during the same Bulgarian LAN event with Team Majesty.

Collectively referred to as “Sanctioned Participants”.

Investigation and Charges

ESIC’s comprehensive investigation included examination of betting evidence from our Anti-Corruption Supporters, match analysis, witness corroboration and betting pattern analysis. Based on the findings, each individual was charged with breaches of the ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Code, particularly in relation to corruption and betting activities.

After collating and reviewing the evidence in light of the allegations, the Sanctioned Participants were charged with a breach of ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Code, particularly:

2.1 Corruption:

2.1.1 Fixing or contriving in any way or otherwise influencing improperly, or being a party to any effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly, the result, progress, conduct, or any other aspect of any Match.

 Section 3.1 (Anti-Corruption Code)

 No participant shall engage in any form of betting, gambling, or similar activity that has the potential to create a conflict of interest.

 And further offences under the ESIC Code of Conduct articles as follows;

2.4.5 Where the facts of the alleged incident are not adequately or clearly covered by any of the above offences, conduct that brings Esport, the Game, Event, ESIC or a Member into disrepute.

The Sanctioned Participants were each served with a Notice of Charge on 24 October 2023 and given an opportunity to respond. The Sanctioned Participants did not respond to the Notice of Charge.

Sanction Duration

In accordance with the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code, ESIC hereby issues a Rejection Order against each individual, effective from 24 October 2023 to 24 October 2025. During this period, they are prohibited from participating in any ESIC member events and must comply with all relevant provisions of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code.

FIFA publishes third edition of Commentary on the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players

FIFA has today published the third edition of the Commentary on the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), only two years after the previous edition.

The Commentary is a crucial document that supports member associations, clubs, players, leagues, coaches and football legal experts in ensuring that the RSTP are applied consistently across the global football community.

The third edition encompasses the latest amendments to the RSTP as well as detailed information on the regulations and case law of the FIFA Football Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Commentary is a landmark achievement and further confirmation of FIFA’s ongoing commitment to transparency and education in football law across the globe.

After the adoption of the RSTP in 2001 following fruitful cooperation with the European Commission, FIFA published the first edition of the Commentary in 2007, followed by another edition in 2021 as part of FIFA’s engagement to modernise football’s regulatory framework.

HISA Announces Data Disclosure Policy

Marlon Samuels banned for six years under anti-corruption code

Former West Indies player Marlon Samuels has been banned from all cricket for six years after an independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of breaching the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code.

Samuels, who was charged by the ICC (in its capacity as the Designated Anti-Corruption Official under the ECB Code) in September 2021, was found guilty by the Tribunal in August this year of the following four offences:

Article 2.4.2 (by a majority decision) – Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the Participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute.

Article 2.4.3 (unanimous decision)- Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official receipt of hospitality with a value of US $750 or more.

Article 2.4.6 (unanimous decision) – Failing to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation.

Article 2.4.7 (unanimous decision) – Obstructing or delaying the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation by concealing information that may have been relevant to the investigation.

The ban takes effect from 11 November 2023.

Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager – HR and Integrity Unit, said: “Samuels played international cricket for close to two decades, during which he participated in numerous anti-corruption sessions and knew exactly what his obligations were under the Anti-Corruption Codes.

“Though he is retired now, Mr Samuels was a participant when the offences were committed. The ban of six years will act as a strong deterrent to any participant who intends to break the rules.”

The Award on sanction (which has been redacted to protect the identities of the ICC’s witnesses and other third parties) is available here.

For the media release on the decision of the tribunal in August 2023, click here.

For the media release on the charges against Samuels in September 2021, click here.

Barnsley FC Removed From 2023-24 Emirates FA Cup

A Professional Game Board Sub-Committee has removed Barnsley from the 2023-24 Emirates FA Cup for fielding an ineligible player during their First Round Proper Replay against Horsham on Tuesday 14 November 2023. 

The FA alleged that the player was ineligible for this Replay, as he was not correctly registered and eligible for the original First Round Proper match on Friday 3 November 2023, which constitutes a breach of FA Cup Rule 103. 

Barnsley admitted this charge and acknowledged that the breach had occurred. The Sub-Committee’s members ordered that Barnsley be removed from the competition, and that Horsham be awarded the tie and progression to the Second Round Proper. 

Subject to any appeal by Barnsley, Horsham will now play away to Sutton United in the Second Round Proper on Saturday 2 December 2023. 

Sanction: Muaythai

ICC Board outcomes

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board met today and confirmed the terms of the suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

After hearing representation from SLC, the ICC Board decided that Sri Lanka can continue to compete internationally both in bilateral cricket and ICC events after being suspended recently for breaching its obligations as a Member in particular the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and without government interference.

However, funding to SLC will be controlled by the ICC and the ICC Board confirmed Sri Lanka will no longer host the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024, which will now be held in South Africa.

The ICC Board also approved new gender eligibility regulations for the international game following a 9-month consultation process with the sport’s stakeholders. The new policy is based on the following principles (in order of priority), protection of the integrity of the women’s game, safety, fairness and inclusion, and this means any Male to Female participants who have been through any form of male puberty will not be eligible to participate in the international women’s game regardless of any surgery or gender reassignment treatment they may have undertaken.

The review, which was led by the ICC Medical Advisory Committee chaired by Dr Peter Harcourt, relates solely to gender eligibility for international women’s cricket, whilst gender eligibility at domestic level is a matter for each individual Member Board, which may be impacted by local legislation. The regulations will be reviewed within two years.

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “The changes to the gender eligibility regulations resulted from an extensive consultation process and is founded in science and aligned with the core principles developed during the review. Inclusivity is incredibly important to us as a sport, but our priority was to protect the integrity of the international women’s game and the safety of players.”

Cricket

The Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) endorsed a plan to accelerate the development of female match officials which includes equalising match day pay for ICC umpires across men’s and women’s cricket and ensuring there is one neutral umpire in every ICC Women’s Championship series from January 2024.

The CEC agreed to introduce a stop clock on a trial basis in men’s ODI and T20I cricket from December 2023 to April 2024. The clock will be used to regulate the amount of time taken between overs. If the bowling team is not ready to bowl the next over within 60 seconds of the previous over being completed, a 5-run penalty will be imposed the third time it happens in an innings.

Changes to the pitch and outfield monitoring regulations were also approved, including a simplification of the criteria against which a pitch is assessed and increasing the threshold for when a venue could have its international status removed from five demerit points to six demerit points over a five-year period.

Slovenian union one step closer to CBA with help of Ministry of Labour

• Slovenian player union received a letter from the country's Ministry of Labour confirming its labour law prevails over the regulations drawn up by any sports federation
  
  
• It is a huge step towards one of the union's main goals: creating a collective bargaining agreement
  
  
• "This letter means that the transfer system doesn’t exist any longer in our country," said SPINS President Dejan Stefanovic

Slovenian player union SPINS made a huge step towards one of their main goals: creating a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The organisation received a letter from the Ministry of Labour confirming that Slovenian labour law prevails over the regulations drawn up by any sports federation.

“This letter basically means that the transfer system doesn’t exist any longer in our country,” said SPINS President Dejan Stefanovic, who is also a member of FIFPRO’s global board. “As we have always stated, athletes need to have the same rights as any other worker in Slovenia.”

SPINS had several meetings with the Ministry of Labour to discuss the labour status of professional footballers and other professional athletes in Slovenia, as well as the right to collectively bargain for self-employed athletes. This process for getting more clarity lasted more than a year and resulted in the Ministry’s letter.

The letter concludes: "It should also be emphasised that the cases and conditions of termination of the employment relationship are not and cannot be left to the free and autonomous regulation of the sports federations."

According to Stefanovic this means that players can terminate their contracts the way any other worker does. He said: “Currently, players in our country can’t move because of the FA’s transfer regulations. If they are going to terminate a contract, then they don’t know what kind of compensation they are going to have to pay. So, they don’t move.

“This letter puts clear pressure on the clubs coming from the top authority in our country, which says that sport autonomy cannot be above law, and that any kind of termination of the contract is subject to law and not subject to the regulations of the Slovenian FA. That is crucial.”

With the letter in hand, the union wants to start negotiations with the clubs and finally conclude a valid CBA, in which they can jointly decide on conditions that could be deviating from labour law. Stefanovic said: “We know that the clubs would like to have a transfer system in place because they are dependent on transfer fees coming in, and we know that many clubs use these transfer fees to pay player salaries. So, we should try and find a compromise, and agree on conditions in a CBA.”

Stefanovic continued: “We are taking away the autonomy of the sports federations in Slovenia. As clubs and players, we are going to decide on the conditions for breach of contract and all other issues, that affect our work and workplace. This can’t be regulated by the football association. They can decide on match regulations and similar subjects, but any matter that involves working conditions is going to be a subject of the CBA.”

Ever since SPINS was founded in 2003, the union strived for a CBA. “We have already secured very good legal protections for our players with the closed standard players’ contract that we introduced in 2018,” said Stefanovic. “But we are still having problems with compensation for training and transfers, while many of our players are also self-employed.

“With a CBA, we can further raise the players’ level of protection, and solve all other issues for players. At first we will probably not get everything but, in the end, we will have a CBA that will be the one of the best in the world.”

Stefanovic advises other unions to “follow the law” in their country. He said: “Talk with labour inspection, talk with the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Sport, the government, or the president. Just follow the law and ask the same principles to be applied to athletes as they are to any other workforce in the country.”

Rugby League player Taylor Baddeley serves one-month ban for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today confirmed that Rugby League player Taylor Baddeley received a one-month ban from all sport following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for the presence of a Prohibited Substance in his urine Sample. At the time of this announcement, the ban has been served and the player is free to resume participation in sport.  

On 8 April 2023, UKAD collected an In-Competition urine Sample from Mr Baddeley at a game between Castleford Tigers Academy and Wakefield Trinity Academy. Analysis of Mr Baddeley’s Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for benzoylecgonine, a Metabolite of cocaine.  

Cocaine is listed under section S6A of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2023 Prohibited List as a stimulant. It is a non-Specified Substance that is prohibited In-Competition only. The WADA 2023 Prohibited List also identifies cocaine as a ‘Substance of Abuse’.  

The UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), which implement the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code for sports in the UK, set out specific rules on how ADRVs related to Substances of Abuse should be managed. Shorter bans of three months are available for such substances when found In-Competition, if their ingestion takes place Out-of-Competition and in a context unrelated to sport performance. A further reduction in the length of ban, down to one month, is available if an Athlete satisfactorily completes a Substance of Abuse treatment programme approved by UKAD.  

On 19 May 2023, UKAD notified Mr Baddeley that he may have committed ADRVs in violation of the ADR. Mr Baddeley was also provisionally suspended from this date.  

On 2 June 2023, Mr Baddeley admitted that he had used cocaine recreationally while in a social setting during the Out-of-Competition period. UKAD instructed a scientific expert to examine whether the concentration of benzoylecgonine detected in Mr Baddeley’s Sample was consistent with the explanation he provided. The scientific expert’s opinion was that cocaine had likely been consumed during the Out-of-Competition period.    

UKAD charged Mr Baddeley on 11 July 2023 with the commission of an ADRV under ADR Article 2.1 (presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athletes Sample). On 20 July 2023, Mr Baddeley accepted the charge and the asserted period of Ineligibility of three months. Mr Baddeley provided UKAD with a report following his completion of a Substance of Abuse treatment programme. UKAD reviewed the contents of the report and in accordance with its own policy ‘Substances of Abuse: Policy for determining approved treatment programmes’ granted a reduced period of Ineligibility of one month. 

Mr Baddeley has been afforded credit for the time he has spent provisionally suspended (since 19 May 2023). Mr Baddeley’s period of Ineligibility was lifted on 18 August 2023 and he is free to resume participation in sport. 

Speaking on the case, UKAD Chief Executive, Jane Rumble said: “Substances of Abuse as defined in the WADA Prohibited List are prohibited in sport because they represent a real health risk to the Athlete, and they violate the spirit of sport. Athletes caught using cocaine and other ‘recreational drugs’ Out-of-Competition may receive a ban from sport and risk jeopardising their playing career. 

“The Substance of Abuse treatment programme supports Athletes to recognise the dangers of substance misuse and identify where to turn to for support in the future.”  

The Rugby Football League and Rugby League Cares, the sport’s independent charity which leads on player welfare, added: 

“Rugby League supports UKAD in its testing programme of players at all levels of the sport, in and out of competition, and in this case specifically the recent introduction of the Substance of Abuse programme following positive tests for recreational drugs – supporting players in recognising the dangers of substance misuse, and explaining the range of options for ongoing support – which in Rugby League is led by RL Cares.” 

Five tennis players suspended

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that five tennis players have been sanctioned for breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).  
 

The sanctions are linked to a recently concluded criminal case involving a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium. Collaboration between the ITIA and Belgian authorities led to a five-year custodial sentence for the leader of the syndicate, Grigor Sargsyan.  
 

Sanctions were imposed by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Professor Richard McLaren, after all five players failed to contest the ITIA’s charges against them, either at all or within the time limit set by the TACP. All of the following players’ sanctions began on 30 September 2023. 
 

Mexican Alberto Rojas Maldonado, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 992 in 2015, was found to have committed 92 breaches of the TACP – the second-highest number of breaches for one individual - and played a pivotal role in the corruption of other players. As a result, the player was issued a lifetime ban from the sport and ordered to pay the maximum fine of $250,000.  
 
Guatemalan Christopher Díaz Figueroa, who reached an ATP career-high ranking of 326 in 2011 and previously served a three-year suspension for match-fixing (with one year suspended), has now been banned from the sport for life and fined $75,000 for 13 further TACP breaches, including match-fixing and the facilitation of wagering.  
 

Mexican José Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 1367 in 2017, was found to have committed eight breaches of the TACP, including match-fixing and the facilitation of wagering. AHO McLaren found that Rodríguez acted in concert with Maldonado to realise “significant financial gain.” The player has been suspended for 12 years and ordered to pay a fine of $25,001. Rodríguez’s suspension will end on 29 September 2035. 
 

Mexican Antonio Ruiz Rosales, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 652 in 2008, has been suspended for 10 years and fined $30,000 for seven breaches of the TACP, including match-fixing and the facilitation of wagering. Ruiz’s suspension will end on 29 September 2033. 
 

Mexican Orlando Alcántara Rangel, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 1735 in 2015, has been suspended for two years and fined $10,000 for two breaches of the TACP. Alcántara’s suspension will end on 29 September 2025. 
 

During the players’ suspensions, they are prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA: ATP, ITF, WTA, Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open, or any national association.  
 

The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.

To access the full decision, click here.

Para powerlifter Dawid Lange receives a four-year ban for anti-doping violation

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned Para powerlifting athlete Dawid Lange for a period of four years for committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), in breach of the IPC Anti-Doping Code. 

The Polish athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for Prohibited Substances in a urine sample provided in-competition on 7 April 2019 during the Men's over 107kg competition at the 2019 Polish Weightlifting Individual Championships for People with Disabilities. 

The substances were metabolites of Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT), Metandienone, Oxandrolone and Clomifene. DHCMT, Metandienone, Oxandrolone are listed as Prohibited Substances under class S1.1A of WADA's 2019 Prohibited List (Anabolic Agents). Clomifene is listed as a Prohibited Substance under S4.3 of WADA's 2019 Prohibited List (Hormone and Metabolic Modulators). 

The athlete was provisionally suspended by the Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA) on 13 June 2019 pending a resolution of his case. 

On 30 December 2019, the athlete was charged with an ADRV pursuant to the POLADA Anti-Doping Rules.

On 22 July 2020, a POLADA Disciplinary Panel ruled that the athlete had violated the POLADA Anti-Doping Rules and imposed a sanction of a four-year period of Ineligibility on the athlete. 

Following an appeal by the athlete, on 17 February 2021 a POLADA Appeal Panel overturned the POLADA First Instance Decision and lifted the athlete’s suspension, on the basis that the POLADA Anti-Doping Rules did not apply to the athlete. 

On 30 September 2021, the IPC charged the athlete with an ADRV pursuant to the 2018 IPC Anti-Doping Code and provisionally suspended the athlete pending a resolution of his case. 

Following this, the athlete challenged, among other things, the IPC's jurisdiction to bring a case under the IPC Anti-Doping Code against the athlete on the basis of the AAF. This jurisdiction challenge was dismissed in a ruling of the IPC Independent Anti-Doping Tribunal on 9 December 2021, and then by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following an appeal by the athlete to CAS, on 1 May 2023. 

Following the dismissal of the jurisdiction challenge by CAS, the substantive ADRV case was heard before the IPC Independent Tribunal. On 13 October 2023 the IPC Independent Anti-Doping Tribunal found the AAF charge to be proven and sanctioned the athlete to a four-year period of Ineligibility. 

As a result of his violation, the athlete will be ineligible for competition and other sporting activities (other than authorised anti-doping education or rehabilitation programs) for four years from 13 June 2019. The suspension is to take into account the POLADA Provisional Suspension (13 June 2019 to 17 February 2021) and the IPC Provisional Suspension (30 September 2021 to 13 October 2023), bringing its end date to 22 January 2024.  

The results obtained from the Men's over 107kg competition at the 2019 Polish Weightlifting Individual Championships for People with Disabilities are automatically disqualified, with all resulting Consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes. All other results obtained by the athlete from the date the positive sample was collected until the commencement of the provisional suspension are also disqualified, with all resulting Consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes. 

Jude Ellis, Head of Anti-Doping at the IPC, said: “This case serves as a reminder to those athletes who have agreed to participate in any World Para Sports’ competition or who have signed the IPC’s Athlete Eligibility Agreement. Regardless of their level of experience, these athletes have a responsibility to understand and comply with their obligations under the IPC Anti-Doping Code. This includes taking steps to ensure that anything they consume does not contain a substance included on the WADA Prohibited List. The IPC has anti-doping jurisdiction over the World Para Sports, and this applies at all times, whether in-competition or out-of-competition.

“The IPC would also remind National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) to ensure their anti-doping rules are drafted so as to ensure that they have jurisdiction and results management authority over Para athletes where appropriate.”  

Each athlete is strictly liable for the substances found in their sample. An ADRV occurs whenever a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in their bodily specimen, whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault. 

As a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADC), the IPC remains committed to a doping-free sporting environment at all levels. The IPC has established the IPC Anti-Doping Code in compliance with the general principles of the WADC, including the WADC International Standards, expecting that, in the spirit of sport, it will lead the fight against doping in sport for athletes with an impairment.

FIFA reaffirms anti-doping commitment at Council of Europe meeting

FIFA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to fair play and the integrity of football as a member of the Council of Europe’s Monitoring Group of the Anti-Doping Convention (T-DO) at the body’s latest gathering in Strasbourg, France.

Delegates at the two-day meeting heard from Alexis Weber, FIFA’s Head of Anti-Doping, and Annaliza Tsakona, FIFA’s Senior International Relations & Public Affairs Manager, about how FIFA has stepped up its efforts to ensure that its competitions remain fair.

“FIFA would like to reiterate its commitment to continuing our close collaboration with the Council of Europe – under the memorandum of understanding signed in 2018 – as well as with governments and political institutions around the globe,” Ms Tsakona told attendees, consisting of representatives of the Council of Europe and Council of Europe member states, parties to the Anti-Doping Convention and observers from international sports federations.

“It is through collaborative efforts that we can effectively address challenges jeopardising the principles of fair play, integrity and clean competition. Such cooperation has the potential to catalyse positive societal change, extending its impact beyond the sporting arena,” Ms Tsakona added.

FIFA's representatives outlined the organisation's anti-doping operations at the FIFA World Cup™ in Qatar late last year. The T-DO, which plays an important role in coordinating the implementation and harmonisation of anti-doping programmes across EU member states, also heard about the enhanced anti-doping policy put in place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™. As the centrepiece of the most comprehensive measures ever implemented at a FIFA Women’s World Cup™, 30% more tests were conducted than at the previous edition in France in 2019.

FIFA is also taking an active role in trying to ensure that anti-doping is a part of a player’s mindset long before they reach elite level. After Ms Tsakona had stressed the importance of education and whistle-blowing, FIFA’s anti-doping e-learning platform was then presented. It is tailored to three distinct target groups: youth players, professional players and player support staff.

The T-DO was then given an overview of the robust anti-doping programme that has been put in place for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2023™ in Indonesia with the aim of instilling ethical values and the concept of fair competition in players from an early age.

Sri Lanka Cricket suspended by ICC Board

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has suspended Sri Lanka Cricket’s membership of the ICC with immediate effect.

The ICC Board met today and determined that Sri Lanka Cricket is in serious breach of its obligations as a Member, in particular, the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and ensure that there is no government interference in the governance, regulation and/or administration of cricket in Sri Lanka.

The conditions of the suspension will be decided by the ICC Board in due course. 

Public Statement on Disciplinary Action Against Participant Swabry “MAJOR” Iddi

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has concluded its thorough investigation and is taking decisive action against the professional esports player known as Mr. Iddi for breaches of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code during a FIFA match against LEFTY on 8 May 2023.

After a comprehensive investigation, Mr. Iddi was served with a Formal Notice of Charge for violations of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code, specifically related to corrupt activities during his participation in an ESIC member’s FIFA match. The allegations are serious and include engaging in behavior that contravenes the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code.

Overview of the Case

Mr. Iddi is alleged to have engaged in activities that contravene the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code, which include, but are not limited to:

• Fixing or influencing improperly the result, progress, conduct, or any other aspect of a match.
• Ensuring for Betting or other corrupt purposes the occurrence of a particular incident in a match.

Investigation and Charges

The investigation process included an examination of betting records, account registrations, digital footprints, and betting patterns. ESIC extends its gratitude to its Anti-Corruption Supporter member betting operators for providing crucial evidence that contributed significantly to establishing the charges against Mr. Iddi.

Mr. Iddi is charged with breaching the following articles of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code:

2 .1 Corruption:

2.1.1 Fixing or contriving in any way or otherwise influencing improperly, or being a party to any agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly, the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any Match, including (without limitation) by deliberately underperforming therein.

 2.1.2 Ensuring for Betting or other corrupt purposes the occurrence of a particular incident in a Match or Event.

 2.1.3 Seeking, accepting, offering or agreeing to accept any bribe or other Reward to: (a) fix or to contrive in any way or otherwise to influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any Match; or (b) ensure for Betting or other corrupt purposes the occurrence of a particular incident in a Match.

Further offences under the ESIC Code of Conduct articles as follows;

 2.4.5 Where the facts of the alleged incident are not adequately or clearly covered by any of the above offences, conduct that brings Esport, the Game, Event, ESIC or a Member into disrepute.

Given the evidence presented and the opportunity for a plea bargain that would result in a reduced sanction, MR. IDDI has not yet engaged with the ESIC disciplinary process. Consequently, in adherence to ESIC’s regulatory framework and considering the severity of the charges, the Commission has no alternative but to proceed with the imposition of the sanctions as outlined in the Anti-Corruption Code.

Sanction Duration

The imposed sanction will be a ban of two years from the date of the initial Notice of Charge, ending at midnight on 14 June 2025. During this time, MR. IDDI is prohibited from participating in any capacity within ESIC member events.

Improvements to the IWF Anti-Doping Rules in 2024

The IWF recently informed all its National Member Federations on the summary of the amendments to the 2024 IWF Anti-Doping rules, to be applicable from January 1, 2024.

The main novelties include:

TESTING 

• Added new paragraph 5.5.17. in Article 5 to address situations of unavailability of athletes for testing; new section (v) in paragraph 18.1.4, in order to ensure that all athletes can be subject to unannounced Out-of-Competition Testing under the IWF’s Testing authority throughout the year.

RESULTS MANAGEMENT

• Clarification on the circumstances justifying the imposition or lifting of a provisional suspension (Art. 7.4.2).
• New paragraph 8.3.4: new evidence permit the reopening of a case.

GENERAL

• Art. 13.2.4: cross-appeals and other subsequent appeals allowed
• Art 14.7: means of notice

ADDITIONAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBER FEDERATIONS (MFs)

• Introduced concept of Categorisation of MFs (Category A, B, C) with different obligations imposed on each group (Art. 18.8)
• Category ‘A’ MFs: obligation to ensure at least 2 Out-of-Competition (OOC) tests (under the NADO’s TA) and mandatory Education course within 6 months prior to Senior World Championships (WC), Junior WC and Olympic Games (Art. 18.9.3)
• Category ‘B’ MFs: obligation to ensure at least 1 OOC test (under the NADO’s TA) and MFs are strongly encouraged to ensure that all athletes competing in a Selected Event and coaches and medical professionals participating in the event complete the WADA ADEL education programme specified by the ITA for each event within 6 months prior to Senior WC, Junior WC and Olympic Games (Art. 18.9.4).
• Category ‘C’ MFs: MFs are encouraged to ensure that all affiliated athletes competing in a Selected Event are subject to testing by the NADO/RADO (no minimum requirement) and MFs are strongly encouraged to ensure that all athletes competing in a Selected Event and coaches and medical professionals participating in the event are subject to anti-doping education programmes before their participation. 

In exceptional circumstances outside of the control of the MF, the MF may request the IWF to test (under IWF’s TA) its athletes to meet the requirements, provided that strict conditions apply (Art. 18.9.8).
Automatic ineligibility to compete in the IWF Event in question in case of failure to meet the testing/education requirements (Art. 18.9.14) 

Relevant documents/links:

• New 2024 IWF Anti-Doping rules here.
• Operational guidelines for categorisation of Member Federations here.
• An infographic to help each Member Federation to better understand how it works here.
• 2024 list of categorised Member Federations here.

WADA issues further tramadol guidance for players, support teams and medical personnel

Following publication of the World Anti-Doping Agency [WADA] Prohibited List for 2024, which includes the banning of well-known pain-killer tramadol from in-competition use, further guidance has been provided to assist players, support teams and medical personnel with the upcoming changes.

WADA has issued fact sheets for both players and medical personnel to help prepare them for the 2024 season. These fact sheets have been distributed to medical personnel and the relevant tour bodies, but can be summarised by the following five key points:

1. From 1 January 1 2024,  tramadol will be added to the S7 (narcotics) category of the WADA Prohibited List . This means it will be banned in competition only.

2. Tramadol is an opioid that is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Recent scientific research has suggested that it can also have performance-enhancing effects. Moreover, it is highly addictive, which poses a health risk to athletes.

3. If a player’s physician prescribes tramadol to use incompetition to treat a diagnosed medical condition, players must apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) before they start taking the medication.

4. If players use tramadol within 24 hours before the start of the in-competition period, there is a risk that a sample collected in-competition will return a positive finding.

5. If players use tramadol more than 24 hours before the in-competition period, it is unlikely, but not impossible, that an in-competition test result will be positive.

To download the fact sheets, click here (athletes’ guidance) or here (medical professionals' guidance).

The ITIA remains committed to supporting members of the tennis community – whether they are players, representatives, support staff, coaches, or medical personnel – in understanding all elements of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme and WADA Prohibited List.

Players seeking further understanding of the WADA Prohibited List, or seeking practical support from the ITIA on anti-doping matters, can make contact with us directly via our app, through direct message on social media, or by filling out the contact form at itia.tennis/contact. 

Statement on Arbitration proceedings by agencies to challenge NFAR implementation

On 19 June 2023, The FA confirmed that the agencies CAA Base, Wasserman, Stellar and ARETÉ had commenced arbitration proceedings to challenge the implementation by The FA of the National Football Agent Regulations (NFAR) relating to English domestic transfers.

On 30 November 2023, The FA Rule K Tribunal issued its award following the conclusion of proceedings, which declared that if the FA implements the Fee Cap and the Pro Rata Payment Rules in the NFAR, it will be in breach of the Competition Act 1998.

The full arbitration award remains confidential at this stage, but will be published in accordance with Rule K11.3. Until that time, no further details can be provided.

The FA is considering the implications of the decision and will provide a further update as soon as it is able.

Warning and fine imposed on Carlisle United for Crowd Control Misconduct

An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a warning and £5,000 fine on Carlisle United for crowd control misconduct at their match on Saturday 20 May 2023 against Bradford City in the EFL League Two. 

The Regulatory Commission suspended £2,000 of the club’s fine pending any further breach of FA Rule E21 before 21 November 2024. 

Carlisle United admitted that they failed to ensure their spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and don’t commit any form of pitch incursion. 

AFC reinforces commitment to upholding highest governance standards

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s efforts in safeguarding the principles of good governance were further strengthened at the AFC Legal Workshop, which concluded on Tuesday at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

An informative and stimulating two-day event for the AFC Legal Committee members and the members of the Confederation’s judicial bodies, the workshop featured distinguished speakers from FIFA and UEFA, as well as leading private practice lawyers and members of the AFC Legal Department.

RFL Board approves Laws changes for 2024

The following Laws amendments, recommended by the RFL Laws Committee, were approved by the RFL Board this week – and will therefore be introduced for the 2024 season.

The Board also considered a separate paper on Concussive and Sub-Concussive Impacts, which have led to a number of recommendations from Laws Committee, the Clinical Advisory Group and the Brain Health Sub-Committee which will be announced in due course. 

Laws Amendments, 2024

1 - Scrum Penalties

Teams awarded penalties from scrums may now take the option of resetting the scrum - whereas previously, that option was only available for early detachment. Laws Committee recommended the change to encourage attacking play from scrums – by disincentivising deliberate concession of penalties. (The option of using the sin-bin for a repeat offence is seen as especially significant in this regard)

2 – Restarting the tackle count (Six Again)

If a defensive team infringes within the 40-metre area of the team in possession, the referee will award a penalty, rather than restarting the tackle count. Laws Committee felt that some teams were deliberately conceding six-agains early in the tackle count to gain a tactical advantage.

As part of this, Match Officials will put particular emphasis on cleaning up the ruck area. Players, coaches and match officials have agreed to see greater sanction for flops, hands on the ball-by-ball carriers and to ensure that ball carriers regain their feet on the mark and make a genuine attempt to play the ball with the foot. Ahead of the season work will take place to improve these areas and in matches, match officials will be expected to sanction these infringements more firmly.

(Other exemptions remain – professional fouls, repeat infringements, or where play has broken down)

3 – 18^th Player Interchange

The 18^th Player which teams have named in their matchday squad for use in case of head injuries will now be more readily available. Whereas they could only previously be used when three players had failed Head Injury Assessments (HIAs), they will now be activated following two failed HIAs – or when a player is deemed ineligible to return to the field by any injury (not only to the head) caused by serious foul play which has led to an opponent being dismissed or sent to the sin bin. This change has been endorsed by Head Coaches, the Laws Committee and the Clinical Advisory Group.

4 – Reckless Endangerment

Following an increase in the 2023 season in the number of tackles that have caused serious lower limb injuries, the Laws Committee recommended a new category of Misconduct as part of the Dangerous Contact charge, defined as recklessly endangering the safety of another player by making reckless contact to the lower limb(s) of the ball carrier where they have not made a “controlled” attempt to make a tackle.

This law will only be relevant where the tackler has made contact with the lower leg(s) of the ball carrier. For the avoidance of doubt first contact with the ball carrier could have been above the knee joint but in this situation the direction of the force from the tackler must have been toward the floor.

Indicators for this charge/law breach are the tackler:

• Is off their feet at the point of contact with the ball carrier
• Failed to attempt to wrap their arms around the ball carrier as the tackle was made
• Made contact with the legs of the ball carrier on or below the knee
• Put their own head in front of the ball carrier
• In the opinion of the Referee, the player is not looking at the ball carrier when going into or on contact and approach to contact is out of control (e.g., eyes to floor)

5 – Green Card

The Green Card will continue to be used in the circumstances described below, but only in the Betfred Super League (no longer in the Betfred Championship), and only to be shown to players on the defending team (it can no longer be shown to the ball-carrier).

1. It was introduced to reduce the time taken to deal with injured players on the field of play, without compromising player safety – so if the referee has been requested by a physio or doctor to stop play because of a potentially serious injury to a defending player, and the player involved is not interchanged or taken off for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA), the player will be shown a Green Card requiring him to leave the field for two minutes of elapsed playing time.
2. Also as previously, a Club may use one of their interchanges to allow the player to remain on the pitch. 

RFL Laws Committee – recommendations followed a meeting on November 1 attended by:

Chair – Dr Dave Rotheram (RFL Chief On-Field Officer); Robert Hicks (RFL Chief Regulatory Officer); Dave Elliott (RFL Match Officials Senior Coach); Laura Fairbank (RFL Head of Medical); June Fairhurst (Sky Sports – media representative); Prof Ben Jones (RFL Strategic Lead for Performance, Science and Research); Rhodri Jones (RL Commercial Managing Director); Andrea Murray (National Education Manager); Mike Ford (Oldham – League One representative); Paul Cullen (Match Review Panel); Tony Sutton (RFL Chief Executive)

RFL Brain Health Sub-Committee – list

Chair – Tony Sutton (RFL Chief Executive);

Action Plan And Fine Imposed On Luton Town For Crowd Control Misconduct

An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed an action plan and £120,000 fine on Luton Town for misconduct in relation to crowd control at their game against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday 12 August 2023.

Luton Town admitted that they failed to ensure their spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion; and do not use words or otherwise behave in a way which is improper, offensive, abusive, indecent, or insulting with either express or implied reference to sexual orientation.

Sanction: American Football

Sanction: Cross-country skiing

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS, Lausanne, Switzerland) partially set aside the decision rendered by the Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee of RAA RUSADA № 102/2022 dated June 23, 2022 on the sanction in a form of reprimand to the athlete Guschina Mariya (cross-country skiing) for violation under cl. 2.2 of the All-Russian anti-doping rules approved by Order of the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation No. 947 dated August 09, 2016 (with amendments effective from January 17, 2019).

The Court of Arbitration for Sport rendered the decision which made the Athlete ineligible for a period of 12 months from the date of CAS decision, namely October 27, 2023.

WADA refers compliance case against the South African NADO to Court of Arbitration for Sport

Further to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA's) Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting of 22 September 2023, WADA wishes to provide an update regarding the ExCo’s decision to endorse the recommendation of WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) and allege the National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) of South Africa as non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). The alleged non-compliance in this case is a result of South Africa’s legislation not being in line with the 2021 Code.   

Under Article 9.3.1 of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), the NADO had 21 days following the date of receipt of the formal notice of non-compliance to dispute WADA’s allegation of non-compliance, as well as the consequences and/or the reinstatement conditions proposed by the Agency.   

On 10 October, WADA received formal notification from the South African NADO that it disputed the allegation of non-compliance against it, as well as the proposed consequences. Accordingly, and in line with Article 24.1.7 of the Code, WADA now publicly announces that it filed the request for arbitration with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on 16 November 2023. As set out in Article 24.1.7, certain Signatories have the right to intervene in the CAS proceedings as a party whereas other persons may apply and be permitted to intervene under certain conditions. As per the same article, the notice of intervention or the application to intervene must be filed within 10 days of the publication of this notice.  

The allegation of non-compliance and the consequences will not take effect until such time as CAS makes its ruling.  Further details regarding the case including, in particular, the consequences and reinstatement conditions can be found in WADA’s update of 28 September 2023. 

Everton FC deducted 10 points by independent Commission

An independent Commission has imposed an immediate deduction of 10 points on Everton FC for a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs).

The Premier League issued a complaint against the Club and referred the case to an independent Commission earlier this year. During the proceedings, the Club admitted it was in breach of the PSRs for the period ending Season 2021/22 but the extent of the breach remained in dispute.

Following a five-day hearing last month, the Commission determined that Everton FC’s PSR Calculation for the relevant period resulted in a loss of £124.5million, as contended by the Premier League, which exceeded the threshold of £105million permitted under the PSRs. The Commission concluded that a sporting sanction in the form of a 10-point deduction should be imposed. That sanction has immediate effect.

Click here to read the independent Commission’s full written reasons.

Click here to read a further decision by the Chair of the Commission, dated 9 May 2023, regarding applications from Leicester City FC, Burnley FC, Southampton FC, Leeds United FC and Nottingham Forest FC.

Commissions are independent of the Premier League and member Clubs. The members of the Commission were appointed by the independent Chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel, in accordance with Premier League Rules W.19, W.20 and W.26.

Jack Simpson Suspended For Six Matches And Fined £8,000

An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a six-match suspension, £8,000 fine and face-to-face education upon Jack Simpson for misconduct on Cardiff City’s pre-season tour to Portugal in July 2023. 

It was alleged the defender used language towards a teammate that was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper contrary to FA Rule E3.1. It was further alleged that that this language constitutes an “aggravated breach”, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference - whether express or implied - to race and/or colour.    

Jack Simpson admitted the charge against him, and his sanctions were imposed following a hearing. 

NFL announces crowd-sourced challenge to further improve safety, consistency of playing surfaces

Sanction: Bodybuilding

The National Center for Sports Arbitration rendered a decision against Makshantsev Oleg (bodybuilding) for violation under cl. 4.5 and cl. 4.9 of the All-Russian Anti-Doping Rules.

 The National Center for Sports Arbitration set aside the decision of RAA RUSADA Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee No. 67/2022 dated October 14, 2021, and rendered a decision that made Makshantsev Oleg ineligible for a period of 4 years for violation under cl. 4.5 of the All-Russian Anti-Doping Rules, with credit for the served period of ineligibility from October 14, 2021.

WADA approves lifting of Analytical Testing Restriction on the Havana Laboratory

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announces that, following a recommendation from WADA’s Laboratory Expert Advisory Group (Lab EAG) dated 7 November 2023, the Chair of WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo), Witold Bańka, has approved lifting the Analytical Testing Restriction (ATR) for the Gas Chromatography / Combustion / Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) method that was initially imposed on the anti-doping laboratory in Havana, Cuba, on 16 November 2022. 

The ExCo Chair’s decision to lift the ATR took effect on 9 November 2023. Consequently, as of this date, the laboratory was able to resume all of its anti-doping activities. However, as part of the decision to lift the ATR, the laboratory shall seek a second opinion before reporting an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) or Atypical Finding (ATF) based on GC/C/IRMS analyses for a period of 12 months of the date of the decision. 

The ATR was initially imposed for a period of up to six months as a result of the Havana Laboratory’s non-compliances with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL), the Technical Document for Endogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroid and the Technical Document for Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry. In June 2023, in accordance with the ISL, the ATR was extended for a period of six months due to justified delays in addressing the conditions to lift it. 

In October 2023, WADA’s Lab EAG reviewed the requested documentation provided by the Havana Laboratory. The documentation included evidence that the laboratory’s GC/C/IRMS method and management procedures were fit-for-purpose and compliant with the ISL and relevant Technical Documents. 

Under the ISL, WADA is responsible for accrediting and re-accrediting anti-doping laboratories, thereby ensuring they maintain the highest quality standards.

Football Player Receives Sanction

Sport Integrity Australia today acknowledged the decision of Football Australia to impose a ban of two-years and nine-months on athlete Damian Tsekenis for the Presence, Use, Use and/or Attempted Use, and Possession of Prohibited Substances.

Mr Tsekenis, who played for the Central Coast Mariners, returned Adverse Analytical Findings from an out-of-competition doping control test on 23 March 2022.

His sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of Prohibited Substances Ostarine and its metabolite Hydroxy-ostarine, and Ibutamoren.

It was determined that on and/or before 23 March 2022 Mr Tsekenis used Prohibited Substances, namely Ostarine and Ibutamoren.

In addition, it was also determined:

• On and/or around 1 January 2021 to on and/or around 31 October 2021, Mr Tsekenis used and/or attempted to use a Prohibited Substance, namely LGD-4033 (Ligandrol).
• On and/or around 1 January 2021 to on and/or around 21 March 2022, Mr Tsekenis used and/or attempted to use a Prohibited Substance, namely RAD140.
• On and/or around 1 January 2021 to on and/or around 31 October 2021, he possessed a Prohibited Substance, namely LGD-4033 (Ligandrol).
• On and/or around 1 January 2021 to on and/or around 21 March 2022, he possessed a Prohibited Substance, namely RAD140.

Mr Tsekenis is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 21 December 2024.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE

Ostarine, LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) and RAD140 are Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) and are prohibited at all times under the S1 Anabolic Agent category of the WADA Prohibited List.

SARMs are promoted as selective non-steroidal anabolic agents. They are claimed to be substances that induce muscle (and bone) growth without the side effects associated with steroid use. However, the medium and long-term health impacts are unknown due to a lack of medium and long-term clinical trials.

It should be noted that a number of SARMs have associated health-risks, particularly for the heart and liver.

Sport Integrity Australia is committed to protecting the right of clean athletes to fair competition. If you are aware of any suspicious doping activity, you can report it anonymously via the Sport Integrity Australia website or call us on 1300 027 232.

Sport Integrity Australia recommends you check all of your substances before you take them on the Sport Integrity app. For more information visit: Sport Integrity Australia website.