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.

Sidra Amin fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Pakistan player Sidra Amin has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first match of their ICC Women’s Championship series against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Saturday.

Sidra was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.”

In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Sidra’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.

The incident occurred in the sixth over of Pakistan’s innings, when Sidra showed dissent on being adjudged leg before wicket.

Sidra admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Neeyamur Rashid of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Masudur Rahman and Morshed Ali Khan, third umpire Muhammad Kamruzzaman and fourth umpire Sajedul Islam levelled the charge.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

Doping suspension against Marinaccio

The IIHF imposed a 3-month suspension on Phillip Marinaccio due to a violation of Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the IIHF Anti-Doping Code.

During an IIHF Team Whereabouts out-of-competition test on 3 April 2023, the player tested positive for terbutaline, a prohibited substance listed on the WADA Prohibited List under S3. Beta-2 Agonists as a specified substance.

The IIHF considered that the Anti-Doping Rule Violation was not committed intentionally, and that the player’s fault was not significant. Specifically, the player established that the source of the prohibited substance was an inhaler prescribed to him by a doctor and declared by the player on the doping control form.

The player was provisionally suspended as of 20 June 2023, and his 3-month suspension started on that date.

Shooting Athlete Suspended for the Presence of Cannabis

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced today that David Mylnikov, a shooting athlete, received a three-month sanction for an anti-doping rule violation. The athlete’s urine sample, collected during an in-competition sample collection session on June 9, 2023, revealed the presence of cannabis, a prohibited cannabinoid.

The presence of cannabis, classified as both a specified substance and a substance of abuse on the World Anti-Doping Agency 2023 Prohibited List, is considered an adverse analytical finding when the urinary concentration exceeds 150 ng/mL. The CCES assessed the relevant provisions of Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) Rule 10.2.4.1 and proposed a three-month period of ineligibility for this violation, as the CCES was satisfied that the cannabis was used out of competition and unrelated to sport.

In response to the CCES’s notification of the adverse analytical finding, the athlete waived their right to a hearing and accepted the proposed sanction and all other consequences. The sanction terminates on January 10, 2024.  

During the sanction period, the athlete is ineligible to participate in any capacity with any sport signatory to the CADP, including training with teammates.

In compliance with rule 8.4 of the CADP, the CCES’s file outcome summary can be found in the Canadian Sport Sanction Registry.

Kenyan athlete Rodgers Kiprop receives three-year ban for anti-doping rule violation

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

The Kenyan athlete returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for the administration of testosterone and/or its precursors in a urine sample provided out-of-competition on 15 June 2023.

Kehinde’s urine sample was analysed using a specialised type of analysis, known as Gas Chromatography/Combustion/Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS), that differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin. The GC/C/IRMS analysis confirmed the presence of testosterone and/or its metabolites of exogenous origin in Kehinde’s urine sample.

The substances are included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2022 Prohibited List under the class S1.1 and are prohibited at all times.

The athlete was provisionally suspended by the IPC on 8 July 2023 pending a resolution of his case.

The athlete subsequently accepted the commission of the ADRV, and the consequences proposed by the IPC. 

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 three years from 8 July 2023 to 7 July 2026. 

All results obtained by the athlete from the date the sample was collected until the commencement of the provisional suspension are disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes. 

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.

Rugby Union player Arran Perry given additional six-month ban from sport

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today confirmed that rugby union player, Arran Perry has been given an additional six-month ban from all sport for breaching the terms of his current ban, also known as a violation of the prohibition against participation during a period of Ineligibility.

In September 2020, Mr Perry was issued with a four-year ban from sport by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel after a Sample he provided on 28 October 2019 returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for oxandrolone and its Metabolites. The ban commenced on 20 December 2019 and is due to end on 19 December 2023. 

In November 2022, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) received information that Mr Perry had participated in a training session at Shepshed RFC. Following an investigation into the matter, Mr Perry was charged on 31 March 2023 with breaching the terms of his ban under Article 10.14.1 of the UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR). On 18 April 2023, Mr Perry accepted the breach alleged, as well as the additional six-month ban asserted by the RFU.
 
Mr Perry’s additional six-month ban from sport will therefore commence on 20 December 2023 (i.e., on expiration of his current ban) and will expire at midnight on 19 June 2024.

Jane Rumble, UKAD’s Chief Executive, added: “The Rules are in place to keep sport clean and to ensure a level playing field. UKAD will always ensure that action is taken to enforce the terms of bans on athletes who do not respect them.”

23 African Safeguarding Officers graduate at the FIFA Safeguarding Summit

CAF and 23 Safeguarding officers from a number of African Member Associations attended the successful first edition of the FIFA Safeguarding Summit  held at the FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland where Africa.

The two-day summit took place between 25 – 26 October and also coincided with a graduation ceremony which saw all 23 of CAF’s Member Associations’ Safeguarding Officers graduating from the FIFA Safeguarding Sport Diploma – a 24-month programme designed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge of safeguarding in football.  

Since 2020, CAF has been on an extensive drive across the continent, conducting workshops with its 54 Member Associations to adequately capacitate its members in  implementing CAF’s Safeguarding principles. This includes the appointment of CAF Safeguarding Officers in each of its Member Associations, coupled with regular engagement and workshops in ensuring that effective safeguarding measures are put in place.  

The 23 nations that were present at the ceremony include Benin, Burundi, Botswana, Cameroon, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Guinee, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tunisia, Zambia. 

Congratulating the 23 African representatives who completed the course, CAF Director of Member Associations, Sarah Mukuna said this was an important step in the right direction of safeguarding football development and Africa was not being left behind.  

“The significant rise of African football must be supported by such programmes, where we as the governing body of African football ensure that football is played, developed and enjoyed in a safe and secure environment. We look forward to seeing the continuous rollout of CAF’s Safeguarding measures and to ensure that players develop and enjoy playing football in a safe and secure environment” concluded Mukuna.  

CAF’s Safeguarding Division’s primary mission is to champion the well-being of all individuals within the game including children, youth, women, and vulnerable adults by creating a safe environment that is free from harm, abuse, and exploitation, and constantly treated with respect and dignity. 

Over the next few months, CAF will be working closely with the 23 graduates as well as other safeguarding officers in the Zonal Unions and Member Associations in ensuring that: 

• CAF Safeguarding measures are effectively put in place at local, zonal and continental levels. 
• Develop CAF Safeguarding policies and a toolkit to guide Member Associations in establishing their own safeguarding protocols.  
• Create reporting mechanisms for addressing safeguarding concerns.  
• Integrate safeguarding principles into coaching education programs across all coaching licenses (D, C, B, A, and PRO).  
• Establishing partnerships and collaborative initiatives with sponsors and international organizations, utilizing training programs and social media platforms to raise awareness and address a wide range of relevant topics. 
• Collaborate with football legends to inspire and mentor younger generations. 

The 2024 Prohibited List: Summary of Changes

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has recently released the 2024 Prohibited List (the List), which details the substances and methods that are banned within sport. Broken down into several categories, the List identifies which substances and methods are prohibited at all times, in-competition only, and within specific sports.

Following an extensive consultation period by WADA, the 2024 List was published on 27 September 2023. This gives athletes and their support personnel sufficient time to make themselves aware of the changes, review any medications they use, and apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) if required before the updated List comes into effect on 01 January 2024.

The below sections summarise the major changes to the List for 2024. Please consult the 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes document for the full list of modifications.

Tramadol

Tramadol will be prohibited in-competition under Section 7 Narcotics.

UKAD will shortly be releasing a position statement for athletes and doctors on how to comply with the new tramadol regulations. This document will include the timeframes for when an athlete should submit a TUE for the use of tramadol, the factors to consider when making such an application, and scenarios whereby a TUE is unlikely to be granted.

Removal of plasmapheresis as a prohibited method

The donation of plasma or plasma components by plasmapheresis will no longer be prohibited when performed in a registered collection centre.

Tramazoline

Tramazoline has been added to Section 6 Stimulants as an example of an imidazoline derivative which is permitted when administered by dermatological, nasal, ophthalmic, or otic routes. It is prohibited by any other route of administration.

Additional Examples

Several new examples of prohibited substances have been added to various categories of the List. Please note that these are not new substances being added to the 2024 List for the first time but are additional examples of substances that are already prohibited.

Monitoring Program

WADA has also published the 2024 Monitoring Program which lists substances (not on the Prohibited List) that are currently being monitored for potential misuse by WADA.

Joint statement on the Royal Assent of the Online Safety Act

Kick It Out, The FA, Premier League, EFL and PFA have been working with Government to ensure Online Safety Act tackles racist and other discriminatory abuse

"Kick It Out, The FA, Premier League, English Football League and the PFA have been working closely with the Government and parliamentarians to ensure that the Online Safety Act (OSA) effectively tackles racist and other discriminatory abuse online and better protects users on social media platforms.

"Online abuse in football has risen significantly in recent years, but new laws passed by the Government should offer some hope to all those who participate in football. Change will take time, but it’s a big step in the right direction to make everyone in football feel safer online.

"We still need to ensure that law enforcement tackles perpetrators of online abuse and we urge the Government to ensure that the independent regulator, Ofcom, has sufficient powers to hold social media companies to account. In time, the OSA will introduce new tools to help users avoid discriminatory abuse. But social media companies don’t need to wait. They can introduce better tools right now so that users are free from unwanted and damaging discrimination."

See: Premier League commitment to tackling discrimination

The Premier League remains committed to tackling all forms of discrimination as part of our No Room For Racism Action Plan, which aims to ensure that football is an inclusive environment for all.

Ways in which the League is tackling discrimination includes the implementation of an online abuse reporting system to support players, managers, coaches and their family members who receive serious discriminatory online abuse.

This includes the League reviewing each case and reporting it to the relevant social media company, before an investigation and legal action is taken where appropriate.

See: How the Premier League supports safety online

The League implemented new enhanced anti-discrimination measures from the 2021/22 season as the League and its clubs continue to work together to make it clear any form of discriminatory behaviour is unacceptable in football and wider society. Clubs agreed to enforce new League-wide punishments, including bans, for any individual found to have behaved in a discriminatory or abusive way towards any club employee, player, match official, matchday steward or fan attending a Premier League match. This covers behaviour conducted in-person or online.

If you see online abuse directed at players, managers, coaches, match officials and their families, you can report it to the Premier League, here. 

Full decision in the case of ITIA v Jenson Brooksby

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has published the full decision of the independent tribunal in the case of Jenson Brooksby.

This outlines the process and details of the hearing held on 10 October 2023. The document has been redacted where necessary to protect personal and third party details. The independent tribunal’s final decision includes:

• Confirmation that the independent tribunal upheld the charge of Article 2.4 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) relating to three missed tests in a 12-month period
• On the one missed test that the player challenged, the tribunal found that the Doping Control Officer had complied with the ITIA protocol and the International Standards for Testing and Investigations and had taken all reasonable steps to locate the player
  
  
• That the player was unable to disprove negligence as sufficient information was not provided in order for the DCO to locate them and the player’s phone was on silent

• The tribunal found that the player’s degree of fault was “high” resulting in a sanction of 18 months

Appeals of the decision under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme are made to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and all details and timings will be decided by CAS. 

To access the full decision, click here

WADA Compliance Review Committee discusses new cases of Signatory non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code

On 19-20 October, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) met in-person, for its third and final regular meeting this year, to discuss a range of important issues related to WADA’s World Anti-Doping Code (Code) Compliance Monitoring Program. 

The CRC Chair, Henry Gourdji, who was accompanied by CRC members and WADA Management in Montreal, led discussions on the following matters: 

• New cases of Signatory non-compliance with the Code and International Standards involving legislation, the Code Compliance Questionnaire (CCQ), and audit and non-respect of Signatory consequences cases. The cases will be presented to WADA’s Executive Committee on 16 November if the non-conformities discussed by the CRC are still not resolved; 
• The latest update on the reinstatement conditions imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in its award related to the case between WADA and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency; 
• An update on: 
  • Current non-compliant Signatories, including the National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Gabon, and the International Federation of Fitness and Bodybuilding; 
  • Signatories currently on the ’watchlist‘, including the NADOs of Algeria, Angola, Bermuda, Ecuador, Mongolia, Morocco and the Philippines; 
  • Signatories whose cases will be referred to the CAS, namely the NADOs of Russia (in relation to additional consequences and conditions of reinstatement) and South Africa. 
• An update on the operations of Ukraine’s NADO and testing of Ukraine athletes. The Ukraine NADO has a suspended compliance case due to force majeure in relation to the ongoing Russian Federation invasion of Ukraine; 
• The latest on the amendments to the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories following stakeholder consultation process initiated in June 2023; 
• An update on the development and implementation of WADA’s Compliance Monitoring Program, including an update on anti-doping rules and legislation review, the CCQ, and WADA’s Signatory audit program. In addition, the CRC reviewed WADA’s progress on its Compliance Annual Plan and approved WADA’s Signatory Audit Plan for 2024. 

The CRC also held an in-camera session on 18 October to prepare, review and discuss documentation received. 

WADA and the CRC also took the opportunity to express their appreciation to Penny Heyns, who currently fills the athlete member seat of the CRC. Her term concludes at the end of 2023. 

The CRC is responsible for providing independent advice, guidance and recommendations to WADA Management and governing bodies on matters relating to Signatories' compliance with the Code.  

Mr. Gourdji will report to the next Executive Committee meeting on 16 November and the Foundation Board on 17 November. 

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY FINED AND WARNED FOR CROWD CONTROL MISCONDUCT

Sheffield Wednesday have been fined £50,000 and warned as to their future conduct for crowd control misconduct at the EFL League One match against Peterborough United on Thursday 18 May 2023. 

Sheffield Wednesday 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. 

FIFPRO presents preliminary trends of upcoming workplace safety report at Council of Europe

• FIFPRO presented preliminary trends of workplace safety and violence report at fourth meeting of the Committee on Security and Safety at Sports Events
  
  
• Council of Europe’s Saint-Denis Convention is committed to making football matches more safe, secure and welcoming
  
  
• Ninety-five percent of football’s player unions agree violence and abuse is a workplace health and safety issue that needs specific regulation to enforce player protection

FIFPRO presented the preliminary trends of its upcoming Player Workplace Safety: Abuse & Violence report at the Committee on Safety and Security at Sports Events at the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg, France.  

The committee is the monitoring body of the Council of Europe’s Saint-Denis Convention, which FIFPRO declared its wish to become an observer, with the core aim of making football matches and other sports events more safe, secure and welcoming. Current observers include the likes of FIFA and UEFA.

The Saint-Denis Convention protects and promotes the human rights of all participants at football matches and other sports events, including the right of players to work in a healthy, safe and secure environment.

FIFPRO Europe President David Terrier and FIFPRO Director of Global Policy & Strategic Relations (Men's Football) Alexander Bielefeld provided a player-centric perspective on workplace health and safety through the lens of football’s player unions.

"Safety in the workplace is a fundamental right that almost every profession enjoys through international conventions and national policies. However, since the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen a dramatic rise in violence and abuse against players at their place of work: the pitch, the stadium, the changing rooms, the bus ride to the match, the training ground and even online," said Terrier.

"We want to be a partner for stakeholder dialogue to strengthen collective solutions and ensure workplace safety for professional players and all other participants."

Under the international bargaining framework between football’s league and player unions, World Leagues Forum (WLF) and FIFPRO recently agreed to establish three new labour initiatives with a view to strengthen and protect national leagues and playing conditions. One of these committees is focused on violence and safety at football matches.

According to FIFPRO’s preliminary trends of its workplace safety report, players and unions fear that the pitch and the extended working environment are becoming increasingly hostile:

• 95% of unions agree violence and abuse is a workplace health and safety issue for players and needs specific regulation to design and enforce player protection;
  
  
• 98% of unions believe technology could be better used to reduce the threats posed by violent or abusive fan behaviour. This includes personalised tickets (78%), entrance scanners/detectors (73%) and facial recognition cameras (68%);
  
  
• 71% of unions say that players are worried speaking out could lead to more abuse on social media or risk employment opportunities;
  
  
• 88% of unions believe that abuse and violence has a significant impact on player performance.

"Until now there has been no or little work done to understand the issue from a player-centric occupational health and safety perspective. That is why we have undertaken an extensive global research project, analysing instances of violence towards players in the workplace. Our findings show that football wants action," said Bielefeld.

"While we continue to finalise this work, we hope that it will contribute to a wider debate on the normalisation of abusive behaviour associated with parts of football culture."

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.

THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (CAS) REGISTERS THE APPEAL FILED BY THE RUSSIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (ROC) AGAINST THE DECISION TAKEN BY THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE TO SUSPEND ITS MEMBERSHIP

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered the appeal filed by the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), against the decision rendered by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC EB) on 12 October 2023 (the Challenged Decision).

In the Challenged Decision, the IOC EB suspended the ROC with immediate effect until further notice following the ROC decision to unilaterally include as its members some regional sports organisations which are under the authority of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine (namely Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia). The IOC EB found that such action constituted a breach of the Olympic Charter because it violated the territorial integrity of the NOC of Ukraine, as recognised by the IOC in accordance with the Olympic Charter.

In its appeal to the CAS, the ROC requests that the Challenged Decision be set aside and that it be reinstated as a NOC recognised by the IOC, benefitting from all rights and prerogatives granted by the Olympic Charter.

The CAS arbitration proceedings have commenced. In accordance with the Code of Sports-related Arbitration (the CAS Code), the arbitration rules governing CAS procedures, the parties are exchanging written submissions and the Panel of arbitrators that will decide the matter is being constituted.

Once constituted, the Panel will issue procedural directions for the next phase of the procedure, including the holding of a hearing. Following the hearing, the Panel will deliberate and issue an Arbitral Award containing its decision and the grounds for it. At this time, it is not possible to indicate a time frame for the issuance of the decision.

The CAS Panel’s decision 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.

SPORT INTEGRITY AUSTRALIA BACKS ESAFETY RESOURCES TO TACKLE ONLINE ABUSE IN SPORT

Sport Integrity Australia is among almost 30 major Australian sporting organisations that helped Australia’s online safety regulator to develop new resources to stem the tide of online abuse.

Launched today by the eSafety Commissioner, eSafety Sport is an online one-stop-shop for administrators, coaches, officials, parents and competitors to learn ways to prevent and manage online abuse in community sport.

“There is no place for abuse in sport and that includes online abuse,” Sport Integrity Australia’s Acting CEO Luke McCann said. “We all have a role in calling out poor behaviour but to do so we must understand the risks and educate ourselves in how we can secure a positive and inclusive future in Australian sport.”     

eSafety Sport includes practical information on how to recognise online abuse, how to deal with online abuse, eight ways to stay safe online and promotional resources for clubs to download and show their support. It also includes tailored advice for different scenarios.

“Whether you’re a participant, volunteer, parent or fan, the eSafety Sport resources are invaluable. They include online safety tips and resources to help us all to #PlayItFairOnline.”

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said she hopes eSafety Sport will change online conversations for the better.

“Our challenge is to help people understand that being abusive or offensive towards the opposition, the referee or the coach doesn't help the sport you love,” Ms Inman Grant said.

“On the receiving end of every piece of online vitriol is a person: someone’s child, mum, neighbour, friend, uncle or sister. Let's recognise that online abuse is taking an emotional and mental toll on the very people who make sport happen.”

eSafety Sport is a collaboration between eSafety, Sport Integrity Australia the signatories to the Online Safety Statement of Commitment, Play by the Rules, Athletics Australia, Office of Sport NSW and SportWest.

Visit eSafety.gov.au/Sport to access the community sport resources and online safety advice.

Three tennis players sanctioned for match-fixing

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) can today confirm that three tennis players, Timur Khabibulin, Sanjar Fayziev and Igor Smilansky, have been sanctioned and fined following breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).

The decision was made by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Janie Soublière, who had previously upheld the ITIA charges against the three players for related match-fixing activity whilst sanctions were considered. The confirmed sanctions are:

• Timur Khabibulin from Kazakhstan has been banned from the sport for life and fined $60,000
• Sanjar Fayziev from Uzbekistan has been banned for three years and six months (with six months suspended) and fined $15,000
• Igor Smilansky from Israel has been banned for two years with a $4,000 fine (with $1,000 suspended)

Khabibulin, who had a highest ATP doubles ranking of 154, was found liable for 21 individual charges relating to match fixing between 2014 and 2019. Fayziev, who also had a highest ATP doubles ranking of 154, was found liable for five charges relating to two matches in 2018. Smilansky, who had a highest ATP singles ranking of 451, was found liable for three charges relating to one match in 2018.

The sanctions will begin from the date of the players’ provisional suspensions on 25 July 2023 which means Fayziev will be suspended until 24 July 2026 and Smilansky will be suspended until 24 July 2025 (subject to their fines being paid or repayment schemes agreed).

During such period for Fayziev and Smilansky, and permanently for Khabibulin, 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.

AIU CO-HOSTS COLLABORATIVE SESSION TO STRENGTHEN ANTI-DOPING INTELLIGENCE AND INVESTIGATIONS

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) was pleased to collaborate with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to host an Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network (ADIIN) Expert Group session in Monaco last week.

The seventh annual session, which ran from 25-26 October, welcomed around 25 participants from WADA Intelligence & Investigations (I&I), National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs), International Federations and the International Testing Agency to discuss ongoing investigations and share their respective experiences.

WADA Director, Intelligence and Investigations, Gunter Younger, said: “This week’s session in Monaco was an excellent opportunity for intelligence and investigations practitioners to get together and share experiences and reflect on how to further strengthen the anti-doping process from an intelligence and investigations perspective. We are very grateful to our colleagues from the Athletics Integrity Unit for hosting the event and for their strong commitment to this important area. Through collaboration like this we are improving the overall system for athletes and clean sport around the world.”

Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit, Brett Clothier, said: “The AIU has been a central member of the ADIIN group since our inception, so it was a pleasure to welcome its members to Monaco for the annual in-person meeting. Investigations and intelligence are at the heart of good anti-doping work and ADIIN is therefore an expert group with an important role. The last two days have furthered the consideration of I&I’s role in the future of anti-doping.”

In particular during this interactive session, the members examined two key provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), namely Article 10.7.1 (Substantial Assistance) and Article 10.8.1 (Early Admission and Acceptance of Sanction) and discussed how they could better reflect the operational needs and constraints of I&I practitioners. To complement these discussions on I&I challenges and opportunities, the group also heard from General Counsel, United States AntiDoping Agency, Jeff Cook, who offered insight into how the Code and the International Standard for Results Management intersected with criminal prosecutions.

The outcomes of the meeting will be reviewed by the ADIIN steering committee and shared with the relevant drafting teams for the 2027 Code and International Standards Update Process, which got underway last month. 

About the Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network

In 2017, to further harmonize and strengthen the investigation of doping in sport worldwide, WADA I&I started building ADIIN to serve as a global resource to assist Anti-Doping Organizations in conducting investigations, and to identify and promote best-practice investigative standards.

FEI Tribunal issues Final Decisions in human anti-doping case

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a human anti-doping case.  

This case involves an adverse analytical finding for Hydrochlorothiazide and its metabolite, Chloraminophenamide, which are included in the category of class “S5 - Diuretics and Masking Agents” according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

A sample taken from the Argentinian athlete Fabian Sejanes (FEI ID 10001261) on 11 August 2022, during the FEI World Championships held in Herning, Denmark, from 5-14 August 2022, returned positive for the Prohibited Substance mentioned above. The athlete was notified of the violation of the FEI’s Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA) on 11 October 2022. 

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal decided to suspend the athlete for a period of 18-months, starting from the date of the FEI Tribunal Final Decision (27 October 2023). Additionally, the athlete was disqualified from all results obtained at the event as well as all other competitive results obtained by the athlete from the date of his sample collection were disqualified.  Finally, the athlete was fined CHF 3,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 1,500.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision.

The full text of the FEI Tribunal’s Final Decision is available here.

Tonali banned for 10 months due to illegal betting charges

Newcastle United have confirmed that Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned for 10 months following illegal betting charges.

A club statement said: "Sandro Tonali has been banned from competitive football for 10 months, as effective from Friday 27 October 2023, following illegal betting charges by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

"FIGC's sanction includes an overall 18-month ban, with eight months commuted as the player participates in a therapeutic plan and educational programme in Italy consisting of 16 commitments.

"On the evening of Friday 27 October, Newcastle United received confirmation that FIFA has endorsed FIGC's sanction to be applied worldwide, meaning Sandro will be eligible to return to competitive football from Tuesday 27 August 2024."

HISA Introduces First-Ever National Concussion Protocol for Jockeys

Twelve equality experts appointed to EFL Advisory Board

The EFL has today announced the 12 members of its newly formed Together Advisory Panel, which will guide the work of the League on issues relating to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. 

The panel is drawn from across football as the EFL continues its mission, to ensure that football – be it the workplace, stadiums, communities and online – is a safe, inclusive and enjoyable environment for everyone. 

Chaired by the EFL’s Independent Non-Executive Director and Chief Executive of Mumsnet, Justine Roberts, the panel features six football equality stakeholders as well as representation from the Professional Footballers Association and Football Supporters Association.    

The 12 panel members are:  

• Justine Roberts (Chair) - EFL, Independent Non-Executive Director  
• Sadiq Patel – EFL, Senior Football Systems and Analysis Manager 
• Hasnain Mohammed – EFL, Club Relationship Officer 
• Hollie Varney – Kick It Out, Chief Operating Officer 
• Owain Davies – Level Playing Field, Chief Executive Officer 
• Lou Englefield – Football v Homophobia, Chief Executive Officer 
• Terry Angus – Professional Footballers Association, EDI Executive 
• Lungi Macebo – Women in Football, Board Member 
• Nilesh Chauhan – Football Supporters Association, Fans for Diversity Manager 
• Dr Sara Ward – Carnegie School of Sport, Director of Executive Education 
• Catherine Forshaw – Brabners Associate, National Football Museum, Trustee
• Geoff Wilson – Global sports strategist and former Irish Football Association

David McArdle, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for the EFL, said: 

“The EFL aims for football across the League to be more reflective and representative of the communities in which we serve and the appointment of the Together Advisory Panel is a vital next step in this process, with each member bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion space.

“Football has come a long way in recent years, but we recognise there is still a great deal of work to be done. The Together Panel will play a key role in that work going forward, advising the EFL and its Clubs on all areas of work on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.”

Justine Roberts, Chair of the Together Panel, added: 

“This is an important step on a journey that the EFL is on, and I’m excited in my role as Chair to be a part of a panel that will help to ensure effective and sustainable changes are made.  

“It is really evident that so much great work is already happening, with many EFL Clubs delivering a wide variety of initiatives to make our great game more diverse and inclusive. The establishment of the Together Panel will bring fresh new voices to the conversation as we continue to make real progress in this area in the next few years.”  

The formation of the Together Advisory Panel is the latest milestone in the EFL’s work on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Since the beginning of the 2022/23 tangible progress has been delivered with some of the highlights including: 

• 7,000 collective hours of EDI Education delivered to over 1,000 individuals – smashing the five-year target for the strategy in the first year of delivery 
• 363 individuals given Mental Health Awareness Training 
• 2000 diverse books donated by the EFL and its Clubs to primary schools across the country 
• Introduction of I-Recruit – an anonymised recruitment tool to ensure more diverse candidates are interviewed for roles within EFL Clubs 
• 100% of EFL Championship Clubs engaging with Level Playing Field to make football more accessible for disabled supporters.  
• 65 Diverse Fan Groups established across EFL Clubs 
• 120 hours of diverse stakeholder consultation in the first year of Together Strategy 

The establishment of the Together Advisory Panel follows the launch of the EFL’s ‘Together Against Racism’ campaign calling on football supporters up and down the country to take a stand against all forms of racism and discrimination and report any incidences they see or hear online.

The ITA acknowledges the CAS ADD decision sanctioning Triathlete Yulia Yelistratova

THE ITA SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTES TRIATHLETE YULIA YELISTRATOVA (UKRAINE) BEFORE THE ANTI-DOPING DIVISION OF THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (CAS ADD), WHICH HAS RULED THAT SHE HAS COMMITTED AN ANTI-DOPING RULE VIOLATION (ADRV) FOR PRESENCE OF EPO AND HAS SANCTIONED THE ATHLETE WITH 5 YEARS OF INELIGIBILITY AND DISQUALIFICATION OF ALL RESULTS.

As previously reported by the ITA, the matter concerns an in-competition sample collected by World Triathlon from Yulia Yelistratova on 5 June 2021 in the scope of the 2021 Europe Triathlon Cup in Dnipro, Ukraine and out-of-competition samples collected by the ITA on 23 July 2021 under the Testing Authority of the International Olympic Committee in Tokyo, Japan. The analysis of the samples returned Adverse Analytical Findings for recombinant erythropoietin (EPO, S2. Peptide, Hormones, Growth Factors, related substances, and mimetics). The athlete had been provisionally suspended by the ITA ahead of her competition in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games that took place in July 2021.

Following the Results Management process, the ITA submitted the matter for adjudication to CAS ADD. A hearing took place before CAS ADD on 23 January 2023 at which the ITA represented World Triathlon.

After hearing the parties and considering the written submissions and evidence, CAS ADD found that the athlete had committed an ADRV under Art. 2.1 of the World Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules for the Presence of EPO in her samples. CAS ADD also concluded that aggravating circumstances had been established in this case and hence the period of ineligibility imposed was 5 years, starting from 25 July 2021 until 24 July 2026 and disqualification of all competitive results from 5 June 2021 onwards.

No parties have appealed the decision; the CAS ADD decision is final and binding. No further comments will be made on this case.

FIFA Football Law Annual Review - 2024

TO THE MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS OF FIFA

Circular no. 1863

Zurich, 24 October 2023

FIFA Football Law Annual Review - 2024

Dear Sir or Madam,

FIFA is pleased to announce that the sixth edition of the FIFA Football Law Annual Review will be held in Tokyo, Japan, on 1 and 2 February 2024. Please register online HERE - registration is free of charge and the event will be conducted entirely in English with simultaneous interpreting into French, Japanese and Spanish.

To make this event accessible to all 211 FIFA member associations, it will also be streamed live free of charge on FIFA.com, again with simultaneous interpreting into French, Japanese and Spanish. No registration is required to follow the event online. Moreover, full audio and video recordings will be made available on FIFA.com after the event. You will find more information in the attached programme.

We thank you for your kind attention and hope you can join us either in Tokyo or online.

Yours faithfully,

FIFA

LEEDS FINED AND WARNED FOR CROWD CONTROL MISCONDUCT

Leeds United have been fined £40,000, with £20,000 suspended until the end of the 2024/25 season, and warned as to their future conduct for breaching FA Rule E21.1 at the Premier League game involving Newcastle United on Saturday 13 May 2023. 

Leeds 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 use words or behaviour which are improper, offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, insulting or provocative.

Adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee suspends former youth coach for 20 years for sexual abuse

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.

Cyclist Receives Sanction

Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of AusCycling to impose a three-year ban on athlete Jackson Sharples for the Presence, Use, Use and/or Attempted Use, and Possession of Prohibited Substances.

Mr Sharples returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF) from an In-Competition doping control test during the National Road Cycling Championships Masters Criterium on 14 January 2022.

His sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of Anastrozole and its metabolite OH-Anastrozole, and Exogenous Testosterone and its metabolites Etiocholanolone, Androsterone and 5βAdiol.

It was also determined that on and/or before 14 January 2022, Mr Sharples used Anastrozole and Testosterone.

In addition, it was also determined:

• Between 16 August 2021 and 31 December 2021, Mr Sharples used and/or attempted to use Ipamorelin and/or DHEA.
• Between 16 August 2021 and 31 December 2021, Mr Sharples possessed Testosterone and/or Anastrozole and/or Ipamorelin and/or DHEA.

Mr Sharples is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 31 December 2024.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE  

Under category S1 of the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List, Testosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are anabolic agents prohibited both in-and out-of-competition.

Anabolic agents pose many threats to an athlete’s health and some side effects may include an increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels which can lead to heart disease. Liver disease and infertility can also result from the use of these agents.

The substance Anastrozole is a class S4.1 substance under the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List 2021. Anastrozole is classified as a Specified Substance and is prohibited at all times.

Anastrozole is a hormone and metabolic modulator prescribed to treat early breast cancer.

As the use of hormone and metabolic modulators interferes with the normal functioning nature of hormones, the endocrine system that controls these hormones is significantly impacted. This interferes can therefore increases the risk of severe illnesses.

Ipamorelin is a selective growth hormone for weight loss and is listed as a class S2.2 substance under the WADA Prohibited List. It is prohibited at all times.

Italian tennis player suspended under Tennis Anti-Doping Programme

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Italian tennis player Stefano Battaglino has been suspended from the sport for a period of four years by an independent tribunal following breaches of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP). 
 
On 14 September 2022 at an M15 tournament in Morocco, 25-year-old Battaglino provided an in-competition urine sample, which was found to contain metabolites of clostebol. Clostebol – an anabolic androgenic steroid - is prohibited at all times under Section S1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. As a non-specified substance, an adverse analytical finding for clostebol carries a mandatory provisional suspension. As such, Battaglino has been provisionally suspended since February 2023. 
 
Battaglino, who has a career-high ATP singles ranking of 760, requested a hearing before an independent tribunal convened by Sport Resolutions. The hearing was held remotely in October 2023. The player argued that his violation was unintentional and that his sanction should be further reduced on grounds of no fault or negligence or no significant fault or negligence.  
 
The independent tribunal determined that Battaglino did not prove the source of the clostebol and therefore found that the anti-doping rule violations were intentional. As such, the player was not eligible for any reductions below the presumptive four-year sanction. 
 
Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against the player’s period of ineligibility. Battaglino’s period of ineligibility therefore runs from 1 February 2023 until midnight of 31 January 2027. The player’s results from the date of the positive test are also to be disqualified, with forfeiture of ranking points and prize money. 
 
During the sanction period, the player is 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 members to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.  

LUTON FINED AND WARNED FOR CROWD CONTROL MISCONDUCT

An independent Regulatory Commission has fined Luton Town £35,000 for breaching FA Rule E21 in relation to crowd control at their game against Sunderland in the EFL Championship on Tuesday 16 May 2023. 
 
Luton Town admitted that they failed to ensure their spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers):

• Conducted themselves in an orderly fashion;
• Did not behave in an improper, threatening, violent and/or provocative way in the 14th minute; and
• Did not commit any form of pitch incursion following the final whistle.

EFL Statement: Reading FC

Reading Football Club has been referred to an Independent disciplinary commission (IDC) for continued non-payment of monies owed to HMRC.

The Club has defaulted in relation to the amount owed to HMRC for September and October 2023 and as a result is currently under a registration embargo.

In addition to the current embargo, the Club is already subject to a fee restriction for the next three transfer windows after it accumulated 30 days or more of late payments in the current 12-month period (1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024). The current default period as of 31 October 2023 was 79 days.

Where a Club continues to fail to make the payment as in the case of Reading, EFL Regulations agreed by EFL Clubs provide for a Club to be referred to a commission independent of the EFL who shall determine an appropriate further sanction.

EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch said: “This is a challenging situation for all involved and we understand the frustrations of supporters and the negative impact sporting sanctions and further charges are having on the football club.

“As a League, we are required to ensure all 72 members are treated fairly and consistently on all matters so that the integrity of the competition is maintained. These consistent failures of the Club’s ownership to meet its ongoing obligations have a knock-on effect on all Clubs and as such, the deterrents in place must be actioned when breached.

“We have today met with the Reading Supporters Trust to discuss the ongoing challenges and will continue to work with the Club in an attempt find a positive solution moving forward.”

Meanwhile, the proceedings against Mr Yongge Dai, the Club’s current owner, continue following the failure to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the Club’s forecast monthly wage bill in a designated account.

The hearing for Mr Yongge Dai is expected to take place by the end of November.

Madrid IntegriSport 3.0 event highlights need to protect players against match-fixing

• FIFPRO President David Aganzo and Legal Director Roy Vermeer spoke at latest IntegriSport 3.0 event at the National Police Complex in Madrid, Spain
  
  
• President Aganzo presented from a player perspective the issues of match-fixing in Spain 
  
  
• “What we must do at all times is protect the players, who are often the victims in these situations,” said Aganzo

FIFPRO President David Aganzo and Legal Director Roy Vermeer were both present at the latest IntegriSport 3.0 Awareness Raising Practical Session (ARPS) at the National Police Complex in Madrid, Spain last week. The event was organised by CSCF Foundation for Sports Integrity along with the Spanish National Centre of Police for Integrity in Sports and Betting (CENPIDA).

More than 100 officials from various departments of Policia Nacional and the country’s Ministry of Interior gathered in the Spanish capital for practical seminars on tackling sport manipulation. 

Speaking on a panel alongside AFE Secretary General Diego Rivas and Head of Legal Services Maria Jose Lopez, FIFPRO President David Aganzo presented from a player perspective the issues of match-fixing in Spain, where he also serves as AFE President, and the need to protect players.

Aganzo said: "Unfortunately, match-fixing and sport manipulation is a problem at both national and international level. It is complex, and many players are susceptible to being a target for organised crime.

"Things are very different for footballers today compared to how it was when I was a player: there is much more education, and there's more to learn from other athletes in other sports like basketball. Not all players have access to this knowledge, so that is where we as unions provide support.

"What we must do at all times is aim to protect the players, who are often the victims in these situations, and it is something that both FIFPRO and AFE are wanting to eradicate."

Meanwhile, Vermeer discussed how match-fixing affects footballers using the case studies of Samir Arab, Igor Labuts and Ofosu Appiah, and how players can be protected through education, good governance, and reporting tools such as the Red Button app.

What is IntegriSport 3.0?

Integrisport 3.0 is a project established by CSCF Foundation for Sports Integrity to provide theoretical and practical support for law enforcement and judiciaries in Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Romania, and Spain, co-financed by the European Union, on fighting sport manipulation.

The inaugural awareness-raising practical session marked the commencement of this project and the 15th edition of the successful Integrisport program, reaching nearly two-thirds of EU countries' law enforcement and judiciaries in the last four-and-a-half years.

CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity Director Norbert Rubicsek said: "Our dedication to upholding the purity of sports has propelled us to organise this ground-breaking event. We firmly believe that by fostering cooperation among all stakeholders, we can forge a resilient framework to combat sport manipulation and safeguard the values that make sports so special."

Former Spanish Football Association president Luis Rubiales is banned from all football-related activities for three years

Clean road to Paris 2024: the ITA launches global Pre-Games anti-doping program for the Olympic Games

THE INTERNATIONAL TESTING AGENCY (ITA) IS ACTIVATING THE PRE-GAMES PHASE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ANTI-DOPING PROGRAM FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES PARIS 2024 THAT IT IS LEADING ON BEHALF OF THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC). THE PRE-GAMES PROGRAM SUPPORTS WORLDWIDE ANTI-DOPING EFFORTS AHEAD OF THE GAMES TO ENSURE THAT ATHLETES LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT ARE SUBJECT TO A ROBUST AND RISK-PROPORTIONATE TESTING REGIME. THE ITA HAS APPOINTED A PRE-GAMES EXPERT GROUP TO SUPPORT THIS WORK BY ADDRESSING POTENTIAL GAPS AND ISSUING TESTING RECOMMENDATIONS TO ALL RELEVANT ANTI-DOPING ORGANISATIONS AROUND THE WORLD. FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE ITA HAS ALSO APPOINTED A SUPERVISORY PANEL TO SUPPORT AND MONITOR THE WORK OF THE ITA PARIS 2024 PRE-GAMES EXPERT GROUP, ENSURING A BROAD REPRESENTATION TO HELP STRENGTHEN ANTI-DOPING MEASURES IN THIS IMPORTANT PHASE AHEAD OF THE GAMES.

The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is still many months away, but one of the most important phases of the anti-doping program for the event has already commenced. When it comes to doping, special attention must be paid to the lead time before major sports events – both to discourage those that plan on resorting to prohibited substances or methods to qualify to or prepare for competitions, and to ensure that all athletes are competing on a level playing field at the Games, no matter where they come from. During this preparatory phase it is the responsibility of the respective International Federations (IFs) and National/Regional Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs/RADOs) to subject their athletes to a proportionate doping control plan. The ITA Pre-Games program provides an additional layer of independent monitoring and support to ensure that athletes are tested adequately ahead of Paris 2024.

The ITA Paris 2024 Pre-Games Expert Group, consisting of four international experts from IFs and NADOs (see composition below) as well as specialised in-house ITA experts establish a bespoke risk assessment for athletes likely to participate in the Games. This assessment combines a large set of data and risk factors, including testing gaps observed across sports and countries. This allows the ITA Expert Group to share testing recommendations with other anti-doping organisations (these might be IFs or NADOs/RADOs) to ensure that effective testing is conducted globally through a coordinated effort.

Whereas the ITA-led Pre-Games program for Tokyo 2020 focused on issuing generic recommendations covering individual athletes and teams belonging to a large pool of potential participants in the Olympic Games, the model for Paris 2024 focuses on specific recommendations supporting the detection of gaps in strategic aspects of anti-doping programs. This approach is not only quantitative, but also integrates a qualitative component based on the experiences and data models that the ITA was able to establish based on its mission for Tokyo 2020. All targeted testing recommendations issued to the concerned IFs and NADOs/RADOs around the world will then be monitored by the ITA to help achieve their implementation. Additionally, further testing recommendations might be issued closer to the Games as the final list of athletes likely to participate in the event will be clearer. The Pre-Games phase of the anti-doping program for Paris 2024 will end with the opening of the Olympic Village on 18 July 2024.

To further promote the quality and transparency of the ITA Paris 2024 Pre-Games program, for the first time a Supervisory Panel was appointed by the ITA composed of Athletes’ representatives and members from eight IFs and NADOs to join the initiative in a supervisory and advisory role. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has also been invited to sit on the Supervisory Panel as observer and to monitor compliance aspects of the implementation of the testing recommendations.

ITA Director General Mr. Benjamin Cohen said: “We have harnessed important learnings from our clean sport mission for Tokyo 2020 which now help us improve further the Pre-Games anti-doping program for Paris 2024. This project emphasises the significance of true international collaboration for fair play at the Games as all concerned anti-doping organisations have to work towards the common goal of robust testing regimes ahead of Paris 2024. The ITA is honoured to coordinate this important work in such a key period for clean sport. We wish to thank in advance all the stakeholders for playing their part in this process: athletes who play fairly and make themselves available for testing, IFs and NADOs which dedicate constant efforts to implement solid testing programs, the World Anti-Doping Agency for its important compliance monitoring role to ensure that all organisations carry out the necessary controls in a timely manner, all the laboratories which will work under increased pressure up until the opening of the Games and finally all the experts who contribute to this global effort to safeguard the integrity of the Games and protect the athletes’ right to take part in clean competitions. The Pre-Games phase of the anti-doping program is our shared responsibility, and together, we will strive for integrity, excellence, and true sportsmanship in the pursuit of clean sport.”

Member of the WADA Athlete Council, Iñaki Gomez, said: “For many athletes, the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place in Paris, France, will be the highlight of their careers. WADA and the global anti-doping community have been working together to maintain the integrity of the system in preparation so that athletes can have the level playing field they deserve. In the build-up to the Games, it is important that all Anti-Doping Organizations make the most of the remaining time to ensure that athletes are tested to the appropriate level. I am delighted to be part of the Paris 2024 Pre-Games Supervisory Panel being led by the ITA to make sure that athletes are ready for the Games from an anti-doping perspective and that above all, the integrity and fairness of sport can be upheld.”

FEI Tribunal issues Final Decision for failure to submit sample collection

The FEI Tribunal has issued a Final Decision under the FEI Equine Anti-Doping Rules Article 2.3 for Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit the horse to Sample Collection.

In this case, the athlete Ayedh Al Mughamer (FEI ID 10174065/KSA), failed to submit the horse Talaqah (FEI ID 108BA98/KSA), to the doping control station for a sample collection at the CEI1* 100 Riyadh (KSA), 10-11 February 2023. 

The horse was selected for a mandatory in-competition doping control test on 11 February following a positive hyposensitivity examination. The athlete refused the testing and left the event with the horse.  

In its final decision the FEI Tribunal imposed a two-year ineligibility period on the athlete from the date of the decision, the provisional suspension served by the athlete will be credited against the period of ineligibility. The athlete was also fined CHF 7,500 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000. Lastly, the results of the horse and athlete combination from the event will be disqualified.

The full Decision is available here.

Separately, the FEI has notified an alleged Equine Anti-Doping Rule Violation under the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs). In this case, the athlete has been provisionally suspended until the decision of the FEI Tribunal and the horse has been provisionally suspended for two months.

EFL and football authorities welcome landmark online safety law

English football welcomed the Online Safety Act receiving Royal Assent today in Parliament

Kick It Out, the Football Association, Premier League, English Football League and the PFA have been working closely with the Government and parliamentarians to ensure that the Online Safety Act (OSA) effectively tackles racist and other discriminatory abuse online and better protects users on social media platforms.

Online abuse in football has risen significantly in recent years, but new laws passed by the Government should offer some hope to all those who participate in football. Change will take time, but it’s a big step in the right direction to make everyone in football feel safer online.

We still need to ensure that law enforcement tackles perpetrators of online abuse and we urge the Government to ensure that the independent regulator, Ofcom, has sufficient powers to hold social media companies to account. In time, the OSA will introduce new tools to help users avoid discriminatory abuse. But social media companies don’t need to wait. They can introduce better tools right now so that users are free from unwanted and damaging discrimination. 

Egyptian squash Player Moustafa Elsirty accepts a 6-month period of ineligibility

THE INTERNATIONAL TESTING AGENCY (ITA) REPORTS THAT EGYPTIAN SQUASH ATHLETE MOUSTAFA ELSIRTY HAS ACCEPTED A 6-MONTH PERIOD OF INELIGIBILITY AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR A PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE.

The ITA confirms that a sample collected in-competition from Moustafa Elsirty on 10 November 2022 at the 2022 FISU World University Championship Squash returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for the prohibited substance terbutaline.

Terbutaline is classified as a beta-2 agonist on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) prohibited list. It is banned for athletes at all times, during and between competitions.

The case was resolved via an acceptance of consequences pursuant to Article 8.3.1. of the World Squash Federation’s anti-doping rules. The athlete accepted a sanction of a 6-month period of ineligibility from 10 March 2023 until 9 October 2023. The athlete’s individual results from 10 November 2022, including the 2022 FISU World University Championship Squash, until 10 March 2023 have also been disqualified.

The prosecution of the matter was handled by the ITA on behalf of the World Squash Federation.

THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (CAS) REGISTERS THE APPEAL FILED BY ROMANIAN TENNIS PLAYER SIMONA HALEP

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered the appeal filed by the Romanian tennis player, Ms Simona Halep (the Athlete), against the decision rendered by the International Tennis Integrity Agency Tribunal dated 22 September 2023 (the Challenged Decision), in which she was found to have committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations and sanctioned with a four-year period of ineligibility commencing on 7 October 2022, and the disqualification of all results obtained in competitions taking place in the period 29 August 2022 to 7 October 2022, including forfeiture of any medals, titles, ranking points and prize money. 

In her appeal to the CAS, the Athlete requests that the Challenged Decision be set aside and that her sanction be reduced.

The CAS arbitration proceedings have commenced. In accordance with the Code of Sports-related Arbitration (the CAS Code), the arbitration rules governing CAS procedures, the parties are exchanging written submissions and the Panel of arbitrators that will decide the matter is being constituted. 

Once constituted, the Panel will issue procedural directions for the next phase of the procedure, including the holding of a hearing. Following the hearing, the Panel will deliberate and issue an Arbitral Award containing its decision and the grounds for it. At this time, it is not possible to indicate a time frame for the issuance of the decision.

The CAS Panel’s decision 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.

Tramadol & the WADA 2024 Prohibited List

FROM 1 JANUARY 2024, TRAMADOL WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM IN-COMPETITION USE IN SPORT. DO YOU KNOW IF OR HOW THIS ADDITION TO THE PROHIBITED LIST MAY AFFECT YOU?

What is tramadol?

Tramadol is a synthetic opioid pain medication used to treat moderate-to-severe pain. It is sometimes used to treat pain due to sports injuries in athletes. It is in the category of “Narcotics” on the Prohibited List.

Tramadol is available in many different formulations, and is sold under many various brand names in different countries. Examples of brand names include: Tramal, Tramedo, Tramake, Zydol. Many other brand names exist and so athletes should check with their doctor or pharmacist what brands are prescribed in their own countries.

How does a substance get added to the Prohibited List?

For a substance to be placed on the Prohibited List it must meet two of the three following criteria:

• It has the potential to enhance or enhances performance
• It represents and actual or potential health risk to the athlete
• It violates the spirit of sport

Which criteria does tramadol meet?

Recent studies have confirmed the potential to enhance physical performance in certain activities. Read one of the studies here: Is tramadol a performance enhancing drug?

Tramadol use has potential health risks for athletes. It can result in serious side effects, which include addiction and physical dependence, seizures and decreased alertness.

Use of tramadol for the purpose of performance enhancement is also against the spirit of sport.

When is tramadol banned?

Athletes will be prohibited to use tramadol during the in-competition period unless they have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
What is the In-Competition period?

The in-competition period usually begins at 11:59pm on the night before competition, but always check your International Federation’s (IF) Anti-Doping Rules.

Use of tramadol for urgent or emergency treatment of pain

Sometimes tramadol is required to be prescribed and administered to athletes for the urgent or emergency treatment of pain, such as when a severe, painful injury occurs during sport. When required for urgent or emergency treatment during the in-competition period, a Retroactive TUE should be applied for. It is therefore important that your doctor keeps good medical records of tramadol administration as it will be needed for this purpose.

I’m an athlete and I sometimes take tramadol for pain: what do I need to do?

Tell your doctor that tramadol is banned in-competition in sport. Ask them to consider your treatment options and possible alternatives.

If you require tramadol for your condition, ask your doctor to support you in submitting a TUE application. This may be a “Retroactive TUE” if tramadol was needed urgently for emergency treatment.

Understand the process around TUEs and whether you need one. Make sure you follow the necessary steps and have the required medical documentation. The ITA Athlete Hub is an excellent resource for more information on these topics.

Consequences of taking prohibited substances

The consequences of a positive test for a substance on the Prohibited List can be wide-ranging, with potential serious adverse effects to your health, sanctions from competing in your sport which will impact your sporting career, social and family network and potentially your finances.

You can find two interesting webinars on the ITA YouTube channel about the consequences of doping. Check out this playlist, or watch them directly below.