UNI CALLS FOR FINANCE TO BE INCLUDED IN EUROPEAN DUE DILIGENCE DIRECTIVE, AND WARNS LEGISLATORS NOT TO BE SWAYED BY UGLY INDUSTRY LOBBYING

UNI Global Union and UNI Europa, which together represent 3 million finance workers worldwide, half of whom are in Europe, have written to the EU’s top legislators calling for the full and effective inclusion of the financial sector in the forthcoming European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

In a letter sent on 19 October, UNI General Secretary, Christy Hoffman, and UNI Europa Regional Secretary, Oliver Roethig, state that “The directive has the potential for a game-changing impact both within Europe and globally by requiring European companies to respect workers’ rights in their operations and value chains worldwide.”

 However, excluding the finance industry in the directive – as the EU Commission and several Member States, including France, are pushing for – “would weaken the directive’s goals of advancing human rights and environmental justice, fail to meet international standards, and ultimately hinder the standing of finance itself.”

They warn that “ugly industry lobbying claiming that human rights do not apply to finance,” will if successful, “leave a stain on the industry still desperately needing to rebuild trust and demonstrate how it is serving society.”

In the letter, the union leaders hit back at the lobbyists’ claims point-by-point and provides a robust endorsement for the inclusion of finance in the directive, which will require the sector’s companies operating in Europe to identify, mitigate and act upon human rights and environmental abuses in their supply chains. The letter argues that:

• International standards, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, already foresee and address the needs for effective but manageable human rights due diligence in finance. While financial firms argue their reach across the economy makes conducting human rights due diligence an unreasonable obligation, these standards narrow responsibilities to the areas prioritized as the greatest risks. Under this principle, there is no need for the directive’s scope to be limited through the blanket exemption of the finance industry.
• Finance industry lobbyists argue their investment relationships differ to those between a company and supplier and therefore the sector should be excluded from the directive. However, the OECD has clearly and comprehensively acknowledged this distinction and requires investors to use their leverage “to influence those investee companies to prevent or mitigate adverse impacts. However, investors are not responsible for addressing those adverse impacts themselves.” Furthermore, the OECD recognizes the different types of investment relationships and does not presume they are all “directly linked” with the investor.
• The finance industry claims they are already over-regulated, and their inclusion would add a burden without adding value. However, there is currently no EU regulation requiring financial institutions to conduct human rights due diligence, undermining the EU’s work on due diligence across the board.
• Effective human rights due diligence will not make the finance industry less competitive – as lobbyists claim – but instead serve as a means for identifying material risks that could weaken financial performance.

In addition, UNI and UNI Europa reiterate that the directive must strongly and directly mandate the meaningful involvement of trade unions and other stakeholders throughout the due diligence process.

They call upon EU governments to align the directive to the June 2023 position of the European Parliament, which will both realize the aims of the directive and be feasible to implement.

The letter has been sent to members of the European parliament and the European Commission.

Further reading: The role of finance in the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

Welsh rugby union player Kaiden Carnell receives three-year ban for Anti-Doping Rule Violations

Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) player Kaiden Carnell has been banned from all sport for a period of three years following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance. 

On 9 March 2023, UKAD collected an Out-of-Competition urine Sample from Mr Carnell at a Ystrad Rhondda squad training session. Analysis of Mr Carnell’s urine Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for oxandrolone.  

Oxandrolone is a Prohibited Substance listed under S.1 of the 2023 WADA Prohibited List. It is an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid, which is prohibited at all times. 

On 14 April 2023, UKAD notified Mr Carnell that he may have committed ADRVs pursuant to Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance in an Athlete’s Sample) and 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance) of the 2021 UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR). Mr Carnell was also provisionally suspended from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport from that same date.  

Mr Carnell responded to UKAD’s Notice letter on 24 April 2023, admitting the ADRVs. UKAD charged Mr Carnell with both ADRVs on 2 June 2023. On 16 June 2023, Mr Carnell responded to the Charge Letter, confirming that he had used oxandrolone, and admitting both ADRVs and the applicable consequences. 

Under ADR Article 10.8.1, Mr Carnell’s prompt admission of the ADRVs afforded him a one-year reduction to his ban.  

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

“The Anti-Doping Rules apply to all Athletes. Those rules are here to keep players safe and protect the integrity of sport. All participants in the sport of rugby union are liable for the consequences of their actions should they violate the Anti-Doping Rules.  

“Rugby is a team sport. Doping impacts the whole team. It’s not worth the risk. Always play clean and respect the rules of the game.” 

Mr Carnell’s period of ineligibility is deemed to have commenced on 14 April 2023 (the date of the provisional suspension) and will expire on 13 April 2026. 

WADA collaborates with anti-doping partners to promote clean sport during 2023 Pan and Parapan American Games

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to share its plan to promote clean sport during the 2023 Pan American (Panam) and Parapan American (Parapan Am) Games in Santiago, Chile.  

WADA will have its Athlete Engagement and Independent Observer (IO) teams on site for the Panam Games, which will run from 20 October until 5 November. The Athlete Engagement team will then stay through the Parapan Games, which will take place between 17-26 November. Together, both events will feature more than 8,000 athletes from 41 countries, which will compete across 39 sports in the Panam Games and 17 in the Parapan Games. 

WADA’s IO program is designed to enhance athlete and public confidence as to the quality, effectiveness, and reliability of anti-doping programs during major international multisport events. WADA’s Athlete Engagement initiatives are in place to raise awareness about doping-free sport among athletes and their support personnel while also promoting clean sport. 

WADA President, Witold Bańka, said: “We look forward to running our Athlete Engagement and Independent Observer programs in Santiago. The Independent Observer team will collaborate with our partners on the ground to help strengthen the anti-doping program during the Panam Games. Meanwhile, our Athlete Engagement team will have the important task of engaging with athletes at both the Panam and Parapan Am Games, and their entourages, on a variety of anti-doping topics. These Games represent an important opportunity for WADA to continue to champion its global collaborative mission for doping-free sport in South America and raise the game for athletes around the world.” 

Independent Observer (IO) Program  

WADA will be running an IO program during the Panam Games in Santiago 2023. The anti-doping program will be operated by Panam Sports in conjunction with the local organizing committee. WADA’s IO team will collaborate with the various organizations to help strengthen the program.  

Providing daily feedback to the organizers, the IO team will observe all aspects of the Games’ anti-doping program, including:  

• Test distribution planning and implementation;  

• Recruitment and training of sample collection personnel;  

• Athlete selection, notification and sample collection procedures;  

• Transport and chain of custody of samples;  

• Therapeutic Use Exemption procedures; and 

• Results management. 

Following the Panam Games, the IO team will issue a report that will formalize observations and recommendations designed to enhance anti-doping activities for future events.  

The IO team consists of:  

• Juan Lauria (Argentina), Manager, WADA Latin America Office (Chair);  

• Federico Perroni (Uruguay) Manager, WADA Latin America Office;  

• Maria Fernanda Carraca de Alcantara Frias (Brazil), Testing Manager, Autoridade Brasileira de Controle de Dopagem (ABCD); and  

• Clare Egan (USA), WADA Athlete Council member, International Biathlon Union Athlete Commission Chair and two-time Olympic biathlete. 

In keeping with the ‘Be Athlete Centered’ priority of WADA’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, the Agency is ensuring that athletes are involved in all aspects of anti-doping, including being part of its IO teams.  As noted above, WADA Athlete Council member Clare Egan will be on hand as part of the team to provide an athlete’s perspective throughout the monitoring process. 

Clare Egan said: “I am pleased to be joining the Independent Observer team for the 2023 Pan American Games. Having members of WADA’s Athlete Council on IO teams at major events provides opportunities for the Council to assess all aspects of the anti-doping process and eventually provide feedback regarding what we can do to make this part of an athlete’s career a positive experience. It is very important to me that a robust anti-doping program is implemented while still respecting athletes’ rights." 

Athlete Engagement 

WADA will have an Athlete Engagement team present at both the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games to deliver the ‘One Play True Team’ campaign while raising awareness and promoting clean sport. The team will run the program jointly with the Chilean NADO. The Program also includes a legacy aspect thanks to the banners and promotional resources that will be left behind for the Chilean NADO to use for their own engagement and outreach activities at future events. 

The athlete-led team includes:  

• Paola Mautino (Perú), two-time Pan American Games participant, nine-time national long jump champion and sprinter; 

• Macarena Mondaca (Chile), Manager, Education and Awareness, Chile NADO; 

• Gabriela Traña (Costa Rica), two-time Pan American Games participant, two-time Olympic long-distance runner and Costa Rican flag bearer at the 2012 London Games; 

• Stacy Spletzer-Jegen (USA), WADA Senior Manager, Athlete Engagement; and  

• Edna Serra (Uruguay), Office Manager, WADA Latin America Office.

AESF Welcomes IOC Plans to Create Olympic Esports Games

AESF welcomes the announcement made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Mr. Thomas Bach, on the creation of Olympic Esports Games during his opening speech at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India.

In his address, Mr. Bach stated, “There are 3 billion people playing Esports and gaming around the world. It is estimated that over 500 million of them are specifically interested in Esports, which includes virtual sports and sports simulations. What is more relevant to us is that the majority of them are under the age of 34.” Mr. Bach mentioned that the IOC has taken the strategic decision to engage with Esports in a holistic way and has chosen an approach to be active in the Esports space while staying true to Olympic values. 

The Olympic movement is embracing Esports in recent years, and the Asian Esports industry is leading the way. The major Asian multi-sports events, including the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games, have included Esports as an official medal sport.

AESF actively promotes the further integration of Esports into the Olympics. At the AESF's 3rd Executive Board Meeting, AESF President Mr. Kenneth Fok, mentioned that AESF's mission is not solely focused on organizing Esports events but also on bringing the Esports community closer to the Olympic community and National Olympic Committees.

AESF has collaborated with publishers on the adaptation of popular mobile shooting game, such as PUBG Mobile, which was renamed as 'Peace Elite Asian Games Version,' as well as MOBA game, such as Arena of Valor, which was renamed as 'Arena of Valor Asian Games Version,' during the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. Both of the adaptations have been made to comply with Olympic values, and the changes provide a good stage for athletes from various countries and regions to compete while also presenting the core values of sports, such as equality, respect, and fairness.

AESF has established the Publisher Commission for the first time, and we will continue to collaborate with publishers to further cooperate and deliberate on game adaptations that fully conform to Olympic values and the Olympic movement. AESF looks forward to cooperating with the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Committee (AINAGOC) for the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, as Esports has been designated as one of the official medal sports.

WADA adds Bermuda National Anti-Doping Organization to compliance ‘watchlist’

As part of a circulatory vote that ended yesterday, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Executive Committee (ExCo) approved a revised recommendation of the Agency’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) to add the Bermuda National Anti-Doping Organization (Bermuda NADO) to WADA’s compliance ‘watchlist’¹.

On 22 September 2023, the ExCo followed the CRC’s recommendation to allege the Bermuda NADO as non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) due to a failure to appropriately implement the Code into their legislation.  

In the days following the ExCo, the Bermuda NADO provided draft amendments to the legislation that WADA confirmed were in line with the Code, as well as a clear calendar for adoption of those amendments within four months. On this basis, the CRC has updated its recommendation for inclusion on the ‘watchlist’. As per the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), by adding the Bermuda NADO to the ‘watchlist’, the ExCo has given it four months to execute its corrective action plans. If by 12 February 2024 the non-conformities have not been corrected to the satisfaction of the CRC, the Bermuda NADO will be alleged as non-compliant without the need for a further decision by the ExCo.

The CRC is responsible for providing independent advice, guidance and recommendations to WADA Management and governing bodies on matters relating to Signatories' compliance with their obligations under the Code. The CRC Chair, Mr. Henry Gourdji, will report to the next meetings of the ExCo and Foundation Board that will be held on 16 and 17 November 2023.

Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 – The ITA notifies kabbadi athlete Adil Hussain (Pakistan) of an apparent anti-doping rule violation

The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from kabbadi athlete Adil Hussain from Pakistan has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹  for 19-norandrosterone, a non-specified Prohibited Substance, according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an in-competition anti-doping control performed on 4 October 2023. The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.

The athlete has been informed of the case. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-samples.

The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.

Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.

List of Anti-Doping Rule Violations at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022

SIX-YEAR BAN FOR ‘ATHLETE-2’ DIVINE ODUDURU

Divine Oduduru has been banned for six years by a three-member Disciplinary Tribunal for committing two Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) of Possession of Prohibited Substances and the Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Method and ordered to pay World Athletics US$3000 towards its expenses regarding the case.

The ban takes retroactive effect from 9 February 2023 – the date on which the Nigerian sprinter’s provisional suspension began – and runs until 8 February 2029, while all his results from July 12 2021 until the date of his provisional suspension have been disqualified.

The case arose out of the criminal investigation into Eric Lira who earlier this year became the first person to plead guilty under the US Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act to providing performance enhancement drugs to Olympic athletes in advance of the Tokyo Olympic Games (Southern District of New York | First Defendant Charged With Violating Anti-Doping Act Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court | United States Department of Justice). The initial complaint issued by the US Department of Justice against Lira in January 2022 made reference to two athletes, “Athlete1” and “Athlete-2”. By comparing information from Blessing Okagbare’s doping cases, which resulted in a cumulative 11-year ban for her last year, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) concluded that “Athlete-1” was Okagbare and, following an interview with her Nigerian teammate Oduduru, in May 2022, the AIU concluded that Oduduru was “Athlete-2”.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of this matter, given its particularly grievous nature, exposing the sinister collusion between athletes and other persons in deliberate plans to corrupt athletics at the highest level,” said Brett Clothier, Head of the AIU – World Athletics’ independent integrity arm which brought the charges against Oduduru.

“The AIU is fully committed to unearthing cheats and the extent of their networks. In our quest to protect the integrity of athletics, we often work closely with other investigative organisations. On this occasion, we are grateful for the assistance from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and United States Department of Justice whose legal reach provided vital evidence which helped in this matter as well as in our case against Blessing Okagbare last year.”

The panel found Oduduru guilty of Possession of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method under Rule 2.6 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules (ADR) and of Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method (ADR 2.2), together treated as a single first violation. Oduduru received a mandatory fouryear ban for the combined violation, with an additional two years for Aggravating Circumstances (ADR 10.4), after the panel determined there was justification for increasing the period of ineligibility, due to the athlete having multiple nonspecified Prohibited Substances which he attempted to use in the lead-up to World Athletics’ competitions and the Tokyo Olympic Games (summer 2021). 

“To procure those substances, he engaged into a scheme with his teammate who in her turn was procuring those substances on his behalf from a person who was illegally bringing them to US in order to distribute among athletes with the aim to improve their sport performance, thus influencing unfairly the outcome of athletic competitions, including the major ones. The Panel considers this behaviour to be particularly serious,” read the decision.

While the panel did not uphold the AIU’s charge against Oduduru of Use of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method, it was satisfied that he had engaged in conduct that constituted a substantial step in a course of conduct planned to culminate in the Use of a Prohibited Substance and therefore upheld the Attempted Use charge. 

Oduduru, who turned 27 on 7 October, maintained his innocence despite overwhelming evidence against him. At the core of the AIU’s case were Whatsapp messages between Okagbare and Lira, which revealed Okagbare soliciting Prohibited Substances on Oduduru’s behalf, and photographic evidence of multiple Prohibited Substances discovered in Oduduru’s Florida apartment.

The Prohibited Substances found in Oduduru’s apartment were two boxes of Somatropin, “Xerendip” and “Humatrope”, which were identified as human growth hormone; a plastic ziplock bag labelled “IGF LR3” – an abbreviation for synthetic or “recombinant” Insulin Growth Factor – containing three vials, and two boxes of recombinant erythropoietin (EPO). According to testimony, one of the boxes of EPO was open and had only one of six vials remaining. 

Also discovered in the apartment was an opened US Postal Service envelope containing “Xerendip” – addressed to Okagbare and with Lira labelled as the sender.

“The Panel finds it to be an extraordinary coincidence that all the Prohibited Substances found in the Athlete’s apartment were precisely those requested from Mr. Lira by Ms. Okagbare for her and “Divine”, specifying that she had to give (to Divine) his stuff too and for which she tested positive (EPO and hGH),” asserted the Panel.

Given the Prohibited Substances found in Oduduru’s apartment, when and where they were found, and the fact that he had exclusive control of the apartment, the panel concluded that Oduduru was in constructive possession of the Prohibited Substances. 

Statement from USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart on Latest Case Under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act

Today’s announcement regarding the six-year sanction of Divine Oduduru under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act (RADA) is another example of how the act is driving accountability in sport by exposing networks of conspirators working against clean athletes.

“Justice is once again being served in international sport thanks to the scope of RADA and the commitment of principled organizations like the Athletics Integrity Unit to seek the truth,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “We are honored to support all clean athletes through the act, and this is another win for those who value fair sport.”

A panel of independent arbitrators determined that Oduduru committed anti-doping rule violations that warranted a four-year suspension and concluded that another two years were appropriate for aggravating circumstances due to the athlete’s attempted use of multiple prohibited substances ahead of World Athletics’ competitions and the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The case arose out of the criminal investigation into Eric Lira, who was the first person to plead guilty under RADA for providing prohibited substances to Olympic athletes, including Oduduru, ahead of the Tokyo Games. Without RADA, Lira, who positioned himself as a doctor to athletes, likely would have escaped consequence for his conspiracy to defraud the Tokyo Games because he did not fall under any sport anti-doping rules.

RADA requires the sharing of information between law enforcement and USADA, and that collaboration has led to numerous cases and anti-doping rule violations, including the decision against Sabina Allen and the decision against Blessing Okagbare that prevented her from defrauding the Tokyo Games. In the case of Oduduru and Okagbare, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) brought the anti-doping cases and worked closely with USADA to successfully investigate and compile evidence. The ongoing collaboration between anti-doping organizations, law enforcement, and other federal agencies will continue to hold those accountable who conspire against the rules to rob clean athletes and defraud sport.

RADA was signed into law following the unprecedented state-sponsored doping fraud perpetrated by the Russian state and sport system on innocent athletes and fans across the globe.

The FA Introduces Transformative New Reforms To The FA Council

The Football Association Board, Council and Shareholders have collectively agreed to introduce one of the most extensive sets of governance reforms to the FA Council in our 160-year history.

The new reforms to the FA Council will be implemented with immediate effect and will help to ensure that the membership of the FA Council is fully reflective of the modern and diverse game – so that it can better serve the interests of English football at all levels.

This new set of reforms followed a comprehensive and collaborative review that included a consultation process with key stakeholders across the game. The review was led by a Working Group of Council Members, and the proposals were tested and refined with a broader group of Council Members over the last year.

The new reforms will modernise the FA Council in line with the recommendations in the Fan Led Review of Football Governance, which was published in November 2021. These latest reforms follow on from the changes already made to the FA Board which has seen the FA implement the Review's recommendation to ensure that at least 50 per cent of the FA Board is made up of independent directors.

FA Chair, Debbie Hewitt MBE, said: "This is a transformative moment for the governance of the FA and one that will benefit every level of English football. These reforms also follow the important steps we took in July to restructure our FA Board to ensure that it has a majority of independent members.

"The FA Council has an important and active role in the governance of our game, and I would like to thank all of the Council members for their engagement, support and input throughout this collaborative process.

"These are significant changes that we believe will be a catalyst for positive change and will future-proof our game for years to come. Importantly, it will help to further improve the overall governance of the FA, ensuring that across our Board and Council we have committed, engaged and diverse representation, who all have a meaningful part to play in the future of English football."

Welsh rugby union player Joshua Hicks receives four-year ban for Anti-Doping Rule Violations

Welsh rugby union player Joshua Hicks has been banned from all sport for a period of four years following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of Prohibited Substances. 

On 8 October 2022, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected an In-Competition urine Sample from Mr Hicks at a game between Pembroke RFC and Penclawdd. Analysis of Mr Hicks’ Sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for anastrozole, tamoxifen and drostanolone.  

Anastrozole is listed under section S4.1 of the WADA 2022 Prohibited List as an Aromatase Inhibitor. It is a Specified Substance that is prohibited at all times. 

Tamoxifen is listed under section S4.2 of the WADA 2022 Prohibited List as an Anti-Estrogenic Substance. It is a Specified Substance that is prohibited at all times. 

Drostanolone is listed under section S1.1 of the WADA 2022 Prohibited List as an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid. It is a non-Specified Substance that is prohibited at all times. 

On 16 December 2022, UKAD notified Mr Hicks that he may have committed ADRVs pursuant to Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample) and 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method) of the 2021 UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), and provisionally suspended him. 

Mr Hicks responded to UKAD’s Notice letter on 16 December 2022 and admitted taking the Prohibited Substances.  

UKAD therefore charged Mr Hicks with ADRVs in relation to all three Prohibited Substances on 03 March 2023. On 21 March 2023, Mr Hicks re-iterated his admissions to taking the Prohibited Substances, but disputed the four-year period of Ineligibility asserted by UKAD.  

On 04 April 2023, the matter was referred to the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (‘NADP’). However, on 28 June 2023, Mr Hicks confirmed that he now acceded to the period of Ineligibility of four years, and no longer wished to pursue a hearing before the NADP. 

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

“This case makes clear to those participating in rugby union in Wales that UKAD can conduct anti-doping Testing at all levels of WRU competition, and that all participants of the sport are liable for the consequences of their actions should they violate the ADR.  

“All rugby players need to understand that taking banned substances will result in lengthy bans from the sports they love, and have trained long and hard to take part in. Rugby is a team sport, we want to protect sport for all, and we will always act to catch those individuals who try and cheat the system. It is never worth the risk.” 

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) added, “The WRU promotes Clean Sport, and players at every level of the game, must adhere to the WRU Anti-Doping Rules. It’s vital that players are aware of the risks if they decide to take a prohibited substance for performance-enhancing or recreational reasons. We want players to make good decisions both on and off the field.” 

Mr Hicks is banned from all sport for a period of 4 years from 16 December 2022 to 15 December 2026 inclusive. 

Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 – The ITA notifies Kurash athlete Tejan Tejenov (Turkmenistan) of an apparent anti-doping rule violation

The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from Kurash athlete Tejen Tejenov from Turkmenistan, has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for the non-specified prohibited substances dehydrochloromethyl-testosterone metabolite and methasterone metabolites according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an in-competition anti-doping control performed on 30 September 2023 during the Kurash Mens +90kg finals. The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.

The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.

The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.

Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.

FEI Tribunal issues Final Decision in human anti-doping case

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

A sample taken from the Brazilian athlete Pedro Stefani Marino (FEI ID 10017829) on 5 December 2021 during the CEI3* 160 Punta del Este (URU), returned positive for the Prohibited Substance Carboxy-THC. Carboxy-THC is a metabolite of THC (Cannabis) and is included in the Class “S8 Cannabinoids” of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List 2021. The athlete was notified of the violation of the FEI’s Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA) on 2 February 2022.  

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal decided to suspend the athlete for a period of two years, starting from the date of the Final Decision (2 October 2023). Additionally, all competitive results of the Athlete obtained at the Event and from the date of the hearing onwards (15 May 2023) were disqualified with all the relevant consequences (forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes, etc.). Any competitive results from the conclusion of the Event up until the date of the hearing remained valid. Finally, the Athlete was imposed a fine of CHF 7,500 and ordered to pay costs of CHF 5,000.

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.

UEFA introduces minimum standards framework for women’s national teams in Europe

UEFA has taken a significant step towards levelling the playing field for women’s football players across Europe by introducing a first-ever minimum standards framework for women’s national teams.

The framework, which was unanimously approved by the UEFA Executive Committee in June, sets out a range of standards encompassing provisions covering sporting, good governance, coaching, medical care, training, player welfare, accommodation and remuneration. Their development involved extensive consultations with players, coaches and FIFPRO Europe.

IOC welcomes adoption of declaration on sports integrity by Council of Europe

The declaration recognises the work of the International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport (IPACS), and calls upon it to pursue its transversal and multi-stakeholder approach and enhance the implementation of the highest applicable standards aimed at combating corruption and promoting a culture of good governance in sport.

This declaration addresses the constantly evolving threats to sports integrity which undermine the potential of sport and its role as a social, educational, cultural and economic instrument. 

It invites member states and sports organisations to “promote transparency, accountability, democracy and ethical behaviour in sport, including the establishment of robust governance systems, conflict-of-interest policies, whistle-blower protection mechanisms, effective investigation and prosecution of corruption, manipulation of competitions, violence and other infringements of human rights and the rule of law in the sport context.”

“The IOC and the Council of Europe have been working jointly for many years. We are therefore very pleased to see that this declaration recognises the many aspects of sports integrity that the IOC is promoting,” said IOC Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer Pâquerette Girard Zappelli. “Since its creation in 2017, IPACS has offered a unique and open platform for sports organisations and governments to develop pragmatic solutions to advance the fight against corruption in sport, while harnessing the expertise and experience of all actors.”

International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport

IPACS was launched at the IOC’s International Forum on Sports Integrity (IFSI) held in February 2017. It is a multi-stakeholder platform with the mission “to bring together international sports organisations, governments, inter-governmental organisations and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen and support efforts to eliminate corruption and promote a culture of good governance in and around sport”.

Interest in the Partnership has grown significantly since its creation, with its role and programmes discussed at numerous international events. For the first time, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) directly referred to IPACS in UNGA Resolution “Sport as an enabler of sustainable development” (A/77/L.28), adopted in December 2022.

MS DYALÁ JIMÉNEZ FIGUERES (COSTA RICA) JOINS THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (ICAS)

The International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS), the governing body of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), welcomes Ms Dyalá Jiménez Figueres to its membership. Ms Jiménez, a Costa Rican national and a lawyer, is a former Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica. She has a strong background in international arbitration and is currently a member of the Governing Board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA). Ms Jiménez was appointed to ICAS by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the remainder of the 2023-2026 term and fills the vacancy left in its quota after the resignation of Judge Patrick Robinson (International Court of Justice).

ICAS is a Swiss foundation created in 1994, composed of twenty-two members with a legal background and who are active in the judiciary, international arbitration and/or sports administration. As the governing body of the CAS, ICAS manages its administration and finances. 

The CAS is an independent institution based in Lausanne which was created to resolve sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation. The jurisdiction of CAS is recognized by all Olympic sports federations and many non-Olympic federations. The CAS registers around 900 cases each year. 

Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 – The ITA notifies athlete Mohammad Khaibar Nooristani of an apparent Anti-Doping Rule Violation

The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Counsel of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from boxing athlete Mohammad Khaibar Nooristani (Afghanistan) has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for the non-specified prohibited substances (i) 19-norandrosterone and (ii) Clostebol metabolite 4-chloro-3α-hydroxy-androst-4-en-17-one according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an out-of-competition anti-doping control performed on 21 September 2023.

The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.

The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.

Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.

Update On Arbitration Proceedings By Agencies To Challenge NFAR Implementation

On 19 June 2023, The FA confirmed that the agencies CAA Base, Wasserman, Stellar and ARETÉ had commenced arbitration proceedings to challenge the implementation by The FA of the National Football Agent Regulations (NFAR) relating to English domestic transfers.
 
Those arbitration proceedings have now concluded. The Tribunal has indicated that it will issue its award by 30 November 2023. In light of this, The FA agrees that the implementation date of the NFAR (to the extent upheld by the Tribunal) will be delayed until the earlier of (a) 30 November 2023 or (b) the handing-down of the Tribunal's award. 
 
Until such time, The FA's Working With Intermediaries Regulations will remain in force. The FA will provide an update following its receipt of the Tribunal's decision.

The National Football League Celebrates International Diversity with NFL Heritage Program

The National Football League will celebrate players' and coaching staff's cultural origins this season with its NFL Heritage program, with all 32 teams represented.

Across weeks 7 and 8 of the 2023 season, over 330 players and coaches will return to the field wearing international flag decals - with players adding flags to their helmets and coaches wearing patches on jackets - to represent the ever-growing pool of various nationalities and cultures that make up the League.

Fans will see 70+ nations and territories represented by athletes including Tua Tagovailoa, Fred Warner, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Puka Nacua, Chris Olave, DJ Moore, Jimmy Garoppolo, Aaron Jones, Efe Obada and Jordan Mailata, among others, as well as coaching staff across 17 clubs including Bill Belichick, Arthur Smith, Ron Rivera, Brian Daboll and more.

“As we continue to prioritize the NFL's growth globally, we're proud to have our players and coaches honor their backgrounds through the NFL Heritage Program," said Peter O'Reilly, Executive Vice President Club Business, International and Events at the NFL. “This initiative allows us to celebrate the heritage, families and cultures that make up the fabric of the League, and truly showcases the growing global reach and impact of the sport of football and the NFL."

Participants can choose to wear the flag of an international country or territory where relatives have been born or where they've lived for over two years. Players will wear these flag decals alongside the American flag, and are able to represent their backgrounds throughout the remainder of the season.

“My grandmother was born and raised in Samoa, and recently left us in 2021," said Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams Wide Receiver, who will display the Samoan flag on his helmet. “To be able to represent our family's heritage and feel like she is here with me on the field is the most incredible thing. I'm proud to play for all of our Samoan fans out there and can hopefully inspire future generations of Samoan athletes."

“I'm very proud of my background and am happy to honor my heritage by representing both Puerto Rico and Mexico through the NFL Heritage program," commented Ron Rivera, Head Coach of the Washington Commanders. “What a fantastic way to show the love of the game across the world."​

Rochdale's Groundsman Sanctioned For FA Rule E3.2 Breach

Rochdale’s head groundsman, Joshua Haigh, has been sanctioned for breaching FA Rule E3 at their EFL League Two game against Stockport County on Tuesday 21 February. 

It was alleged that his conduct towards a member of the media at the game was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper contrary to Rule E3.1. It was further alleged that this constituted an “aggravated breach”, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference - whether express or implied - to race and/or colour.

Joshua Haigh denied the charge against him, but it was found proven by an independent Regulatory Commission following a subsequent hearing. The Regulatory Commission imposed a suspension from all football and football-related activity for six weeks, which includes a ground/stadium suspension for the matchday of any Rochdale fixture during that time, face-to-face education and a warning as to his future conduct. 

Gurbaz reprimanded for breaching ICC Code Of Conduct

Afghanistan player Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup league match against England in Delhi on Sunday.

Gurbaz was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”

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

The incident occurred in the 19th over of Afghanistan’s innings, when after his dismissal, Gurbaz slammed his bat on the boundary rope and a chair.

Gurbaz admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Rod Tucker and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, third umpire Paul Reiffel and fourth umpire Paul Wilson 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.

Global Labour Agreement launches three new labour initiatives between leagues and player unions

• The Global Labour Agreement (GLA) establishes three distinct labour initiatives to provide a forum for international social dialogue
  
  
• The committees are dedicated to player health and safety, as well as sustainable football market development
  
  
• More information can be found on the website dedicated to the GLA between FIFPRO and World Leagues Forum (WLF)

Under the international bargaining framework between football’s league and player unions, World Leagues Forum (WLF) and FIFPRO have today agreed to establish three new labour initiatives with a view to strengthening and protecting national leagues and playing conditions.

Last year both organisations signed the Global Labour Agreement (GLA) at the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland to take greater responsibility as social partners, strengthen collectively agreed solutions in the football industry, and contribute to its viability and growth.

The Global Social Dialogue in Professional Football

A shared commitment to take greater responsibility as social partners and provide collectively agreed solutions has now contributed to the creation of three distinct labour and market initiatives to address ongoing challenges of the football industry.

1) Workplace Safety & Health: Committee on Workplace Security

The Committee on Violence in Football Stadiums is established to address and mitigate instances of violence that jeopardise player safety. The committee's goal is to find ways to promote security and workplace safety within stadiums, matchday environments, training grounds and online by developing strategies, protocols, and initiatives.

2) Committee on Health and Fair-Play Pitch Management

The Committee on Health and Fair-Play Pitch Management is established to address challenges related to how the Laws of the Game and their implementation affect match operations and the playing experience on the pitch, as well as for spectators and broadcasters.

3) Committee on Combatting Discriminatory Incidents in Football Matches

The Committee on Combating Discriminatory Incidents in Football Matches is established to address incidents of racism and other forms of discrimination during football matches on a global scale. It operates in the context of general occupational safety and health guidelines to protect workers and commits to ensure a workplace free of discrimination and abuse.

Each of the committees will feature an equal number of representatives nominated by the World Leagues Forum and FIFPRO.

Speaking of the new labour initiatives, World Leagues Forum President Richard Masters said: "In professional football, collectively agreed solutions play a crucial role. The Global Labor Agreement, set up by leagues and player unions at the international level, provides a framework to address the challenges in the football industry together. We are confident that the actions carried out within this agreement will improve the governance of world football."

FIFPRO President David Aganzo said: "The new labour initiatives represent our joint commitment to address the development of our competitions and employment conditions through collective dialogue. The new working structures are marking a start and we are eager to address other issues that are relevant for the growth of leagues and players together."

A website dedicated to the new international bargaining framework under the GLA provides more information and can be accessed HERE. From news updates and documents to GLA governance and labour initiatives, the website provides further information of the organisations’ respective commitment to promote and protect the basic principles of collective industrial relations between the representatives of employers and employees.

Establishment of regional safeguarding hubs in Southern Africa and the Pacific Islands approved by IOC EB, groundwork laid for European safeguarding hub

The new regional hubs will act as central coordination points, and will provide athletes with independent guidance, and help them access psychosocial support, legal aid and any other assistance that they may need. This will be delivered through existing services, available locally, in the athletes’ own language and with an understanding of their culture and local context.

In response to the request by Olympic Movement stakeholders and International Federations (IFs) in particular for the IOC to take the lead in addressing the critical challenges related to safeguarding in sport at local level, the IOC created a dedicated Safeguarding Working Group in March this year. Chaired by EB member and Deputy Chair of the IOC’s Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, the working group’s remit is to consider the best approach to establishing independent safeguarding systems and structures at national level, which will ensure that resources are directed to where they are most needed to support athletes and build safeguarding capacity in sports organisations.

United by an International Safe Sport Framework

The establishment of the pilot hubs will be overseen by an International Safe Sport Task Force, which will include representatives from sport, intergovernmental organisations and civil society. The IOC EB today approved the creation of the International Safe Sport Task Force, and also gave its green light for the drafting of an International Safe Sport Framework.

This will draw on existing international standards, and will set out the complementary but differentiated roles of states and sports bodies. It will be endorsed by the Olympic Movement.

A comprehensive expert assessment will also be conducted to determine additional measures that may be needed to strengthen national legal and policy frameworks and cooperation between states, to reinforce their essential role in preventing and responding to harassment and abuse.

Taking the lead on providing local solutions

Today’s decision follows the announcement made by IOC President Thomas Bach in March this year of the establishment of a USD 10M fund per Olympiad to strengthen safe sport locally.

“With this initiative we are following up on the request of the Olympic Movement stakeholders to take the lead and to develop an approach which works locally. Over the past few months, we discussed how we can bridge the gap between the work being done internationally and locally to safeguard athletes,” explained HRH Prince Feisal al Hussein, Chair of the IOC Safeguarding Working Group.

“With the establishment of pilot regional safeguarding hubs in Southern Africa and the Pacific Islands, we are taking a bottom-up approach - critical in this field. We provide standardised principles that can be adapted on the local level, aligned with the culture and context. By the region, for the region,” he added.

A staggered and collaborative approach

Composed of representatives from IFs, National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and athletes, the Safeguarding Working Group has met six times since its inception. Together, its members have identified what they consider the best approach to strengthen safeguarding in sport at local level, through the establishment of regional safeguarding hubs providing more localised expertise around the world.

The pilot hubs in Southern Africa and the Pacific Islands will build on existing initiatives in the regions, and will have in-depth knowledge and understanding of local safeguarding measures, and the legal landscape and services available, so that they can guide anyone harmed in sport – from grassroots through to elite level – towards trusted services, particularly those designed to support their well-being.

Where there are gaps in the available services, the hubs will seek to mobilise resources and partnerships to address them. The hubs’ primary focus will be on response, in order to ensure that any person who has been harmed in sport has a direct point of contact who can offer immediate assistance and access to local support.

Both hubs will also coordinate a network of fully trained, trauma-informed safeguarding in sport investigators, as well as a network of trained safeguarding officers.

Endorsed by the Olympic Movement, the hubs will represent a collaboration between the world of sport, governments and civil society at regional and international levels.

Collective efforts towards safer sport in the Pacific region

An example of this collaboration was recently seen at the Regional Safeguarding Skills Building Workshop, hosted by the Oceania Sport, Equality and Inclusive Communities Impact Network. This Network is a collective of committed stakeholders who share a common vision of promoting gender equality, inclusion and safety in and through sport in the Pacific region, and has been initiated by the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC), the Australian Government’s “Team Up” sport for development programme, UN Women and the IOC through Olympism365 and Olympic Solidarity.

The three-day workshop led to concrete actions to provide safer and more inclusive access for women and girls to play and be involved with sport throughout the Pacific. Additionally, the workshop served as a vital capacity-strengthening opportunity for Pacific safeguarding focal points in preparation for the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands later this year, and the Olympic Games Paris 2024, where each participating country has been given an allocation for a safeguarding officer in its delegation.  

By working together, these organisations are supporting the development of safeguarding systems and plans in each Pacific nation, bridging the gap between major Games and benefiting the entire sporting ecosystem.

A strong commitment to provide a safe environment to all athletes

The IOC has also delivered several important reports and resources related to Safe Sport, including the IOC Consensus Statement: harassment and abuse (nonaccidental violence) in sport (2016), the IOC Consensus Statement on Mental Health in Elite Athletes (2019), and the IOC Toolkit for IFs and NOCs related to creating and implementing policies and procedures to safeguard athletes from all forms of harassment and abuse in sport.

Established in 2022, the dedicated IOC Safe Sport Unit specialises in safeguarding, and has introduced a range of new programmes and initiatives for the Youth Olympic Games and Olympic Games, as well as broader initiatives beyond Games time that cover education and awareness-raising, such as the IOC Mental Health in Elite Athletes Toolkit. In July 2023, the IOC Safe Sport Unit also launched a comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan.

This expertise will help guide the new regional safeguarding hubs, beginning with Southern Africa and the Pacific Islands, and soon to be followed by Europe.

The International Olympic Committee Set to Continue Kowtowing to Russia with Another Misleading Ban

Yesterday in Mumbai, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) would be immediately banned for breaching the Olympic Charter due to violating the territorial integrity of the NOC of Ukraine. This ban is both deceptive and ineffectual, as the sole punitive measure that could truly bridle Russia, its ongoing aggression and its broader geopolitical strategies remains to be ‘decided’ – whether Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. However, the IOC has already made clear, through its statements and actions, that a decision has already been contrived to welcome these athletes to Paris.

If the IOC follows through, it will be another devastating blow to human rights, to the national sovereignty of Ukraine, and to the accountability of Russian and Belarusian war crimes. The decision will also be another indication of the IOC’s misplaced allegiances, highlighting that those who wield power inside the IOC are subservient to Russia. While athletes worldwide, along with numerous governments, have consistently demanded that the outright ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes remain in place until Russia fully withdraws from Ukraine, the IOC is instead set to bow to Russian demands – leaving athletes and activists with the responsibility to counter Putin’s use of sport in his propaganda machine.

Under the leadership of President Thomas Bach, the IOC has consistently presented a misleading image of its efforts to enforce accountability on Russia. Yesterday’s suspension of the ROC follows a pattern of past ‘sanctions’ that have falsely conveyed to the public that adequate actions are being taken. The suspension of the ROC guilefully provides a façade under which the IOC can welcome Russian and Belarusian athletes, masked as neutrals, all the while maintaining a delicate balance with the influential Russian entities that hold sway over Bach and the organization.

The conditions for such a move are already at play - the recommendations outlined by the IOC which gave International Federations the green light to welcome Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international events are likely to be the same criteria for participation at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. While these conditions are meant to curb Russia’s ability to use sport to advance its geopolitical agenda, they do not achieve this goal. They are unworkable and ineffective, but they do show that the IOC itself understands the power Putin will gain from the success of Russian athletes:

Condition 1: “Teams of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport cannot be considered.”

This condition highlights that the IOC understands that a Russian team is a tool of Putin’s propaganda machine. Yet, an individual athlete or “team” of individual Russian athletes will be utilised in the same way—regardless of any “neutral” status or the removal of flags, anthems, colours, and country identifications.

Condition 2: “Athletes who are contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies cannot compete.”

This condition envisions a fantasy world in which a master list of every member of the Russian and Belarusian armed forces is available for all to see. The Russian sporting agencies, as extensions of the Russian State, are expert at “complying” with such quasi-legal rules while manipulating them to serve their own interests. Promulgating such a rule simply gives the Russian government a roadmap for how to make all Russian athletes eligible to compete.

Condition 3: “Athletes who actively support the war cannot compete.”

This condition is neither workable nor effective. First, it is impossible to identify which athletes actively support the war – any athlete who wishes to compete will simply stay silent in public. Due to the sheer number of athletes, it would be nearly impossible for sporting organizations to identify all athletes who have supported the war in the past. More importantly, even if the IOC could ensure that no athlete on the Russian team supports the war, the Russian team itself can still be used in war propaganda. Athletes do not have control over how their success is portrayed to the public.

Condition 4: “Athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport must compete only as Individual Neutral Athletes.”

The IOC continues to claim that there is such a thing as a neutral athlete at the Olympic Games, an event where every athlete is defined as a representative of a country. In four consecutive Games, we have seen a “neutral” Russian team wholly identified with the Russian State, which in turn was used to advance its interests.

If the IOC follows through and reinstates Russian and Belarusian athletes for Paris 2024, the Games will not be a demonstration of the world’s ability to come together amidst division. Rather, it will be a platform for Putin to celebrate his war and advance his agenda.

The IOC may continue to favour the man responsible for destroying Ukraine, but we stand united with our Ukrainian athletes and the belief that collective athlete power and allyship can still influence history, as it did before the commencement of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games. There, an athlete uprising forced sport administrators to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Games. The same can be true again.

McGregor Re-Enters the USADA Testing Pool and UFC and USADA End Anti-Doping Program Agreement

“We can confirm that Conor McGregor has re-entered the USADA testing pool as of Sunday, October 8, 2023. We have been clear and firm with the UFC that there should be no exception given by the UFC for McGregor to fight until he has returned two negative tests and been in the pool for at least six months. The rules also allow USADA to keep someone in the testing pool longer before competing based on their declarations upon entry in the pool and testing results.

Unfortunately, we do not currently know whether the UFC will ultimately honor the six-month or longer requirement because, as of January 1, 2024, USADA will no longer be involved with the UFC Anti-Doping Program. Despite a positive and productive meeting about a contract renewal in May 2023, the UFC did an about-face and informed USADA on Monday, October 9, that it was going in a different direction.

We are disappointed for UFC athletes, who are independent contractors who rely on our independent, gold-standard global program to protect their rights to a clean, safe, and fair Octagon. The UFC’s move imperils the immense progress made within the sport under USADA’s leadership.

The relationship between USADA and UFC became untenable given the statements made by UFC leaders and others questioning USADA’s principled stance that McGregor not be allowed to fight without being in the testing pool for at least six months. One UFC commentator echoed this, recently declaring that USADA should not oversee the UFC program since we held firm to the six-month rule involving McGregor, and since we do not allow fighters without an approved medical basis to use performance-enhancing drugs like experimental, unapproved peptides or testosterone for healing or injuries simply to get back in the Octagon.

Fighters’ long-term health and safety —­ in addition to a fair and level playing field — are more important to USADA than short-term profits at the expense of clean athletes. USADA is proud of the work we’ve done over the past eight years to clean up the UFC, and we will continue to provide our unparalleled service to UFC athletes through the remainder of our current contract, which ends December 31, 2023. As always, we will continue to uphold the rights and voices of clean athletes in all sport.”

Action Plan and Formal Warning for Millwall due to Crowd Control Misconduct

An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed an action plan and formal warning upon Millwall for breaching FA Rule E21 three times during their EFL Championship game against Wigan Athletic on Saturday 22 April 2023. 

Millwall 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 is improper, offensive, abusive, indecent, or insulting - with either express or implied reference to religion - in the 8th, 12th and 45th minutes of the game. 

Circular No. 1862 - FIFA TMS, FIFA Clearing House and Administrative Sanction Procedure

TO THE MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS OF FIFA

Circular no. 1862

Zurich, 6 October 2023

FIFA TMS, FIFA Clearing House and Administrative Sanction Procedure 

Dear Sir or Madam,

On 22 October 2022 the FIFA Council approved several amendments to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP). As outlined in the Circular no. 1816, these amendments included a redraft of Annexe 3 of the RSTP, which comprised, among others, the codification of the Administrative Sanction Procedure (ASP). As outlined below in more detail, the ASP has played a crucial role in ensuring the proper functioning of the Transfer Matching System (TMS).

Subsequently, on 8 November 2022 the FIFA Council announced that the FIFA Clearing House would commence operating on 16 November 2022 and approved the FIFA Clearing House Regulations (FCHR), by means of the Circular no. 1817.

With the new processes related to the FIFA Clearing House coming into force, the ASP has started playing a significant role in guaranteeing that associations and clubs comply with their obligations related thereto. In particular, the ASP ensures the correct declaration of fees paid in relation to international and domestic transfers, which is a crucial step for TMS to identify training reward triggers related to the solidarity mechanism. 

This circular describes the recent evolution of the ASP and its application to the processes related to the FIFA Clearing House.

Background

In 2011, following the introduction of TMS, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee identified that certain obligations inherent to the use of the system, and contained in Annexe 3 of the RSTP, were of technical or administrative nature. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee found that said obligations, if not fulfilled, constituted an evident infringement to the provisions of Annexe 3 of the RSTP, which have an immediate negative impact on the relevant transfer.

In this context, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee delegated to FIFA general secretariat (at the time, the FIFA TMS GmbH) its competence to sanction 10 categories of infringements by means of a specific procedure, the ASP. The sanction that could be imposed consisted of a warning, a reprimand and/or a fine of up to CHF 14,000. Like this, FIFA could establish a streamlined and more effective procedure to deal with violations of Annexe 3 of the RSTP (see Circular no. 1259).

The ASP gave FIFA the possibility to treat these infringements in an expedited manner, granting clubs the possibility to rectify their breach – where applicable – and hence protect the proper functioning of TMS.

Subsequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to expand the application of the ASP from 10 to 14 different categories of breaches of the Annexe 3 (see Circular no. 1478).

Finally, ASP cases were further streamlined, by granting the FIFA general secretariat the power to directly submit ASP cases to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee without the prior intervention of the secretariat to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee (see Circular no. 1609).

The new Annexe 3

As anticipated above, the redraft of Annexe 3 included a codification of the ASP under art. 17 of said annexe. When an infringement of a technical or administrative nature is detected, the following procedure takes place:

a) The FIFA general secretariat will contact the association or club to identify the infringement, request a statement or any other relevant information within a defined deadline and, if applicable, request that the infringing behaviour be corrected. In this first correspondence, the association or club will be informed that, if the infringing behaviour is not corrected and/or no satisfactory position is submitted, an administrative sanction letter (ASL) will be issued, specifying the type of sanction that will be imposed.; 

b) Upon receipt of the statement or relevant information or upon expiry of the time limit to do so, the FIFA general secretariat may issue an ASL;

c) The party may accept the sanction or reject it, and, in this case, request the opening of disciplinary proceedings before the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. If the party accepts the sanction, the latter will be enforceable from the date of acceptance;

d) If the party accepts the sanction, complies with it (where applicable) and corrects the infringing behaviour within the time limits to do so, the matter will be closed; 

e) If the party fails to respond to the ASL, responds inconsistently or incompletely and/or does not correct the infringing behaviour and/or does not comply with the sanction, the matter will be referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

With the entry into force of the new edition of Annexe 3, the FIFA general secretariat is now granted the power to impose fines up to CHF 30,000. 

Finally, and in view of the continuous evolution of TMS, ASP cases are not limited to a specific number of categories of breaches but can be opened for any type of violations of a purely technical and administrative nature related to TMS and players’ transfers.

The relation with the FIFA Clearing House

As mentioned above, in the last years TMS witnessed a continuous expansion of its scope of application. With the FIFA Clearing House beginning its operations, together with the entry into force of the FCHR, TMS started to play a pivotal role in the functioning of newly established processes.

In fact, TMS is the tool where the Electronic Player Passports (EPP) process takes place, Allocation Statements (AS) are issued and where training rewards triggers are identified. 

To guarantee the correct functioning of the FIFA Clearing House and the processes related to it, associations and clubs must comply with their obligations as laid down in the FCHR. Similarly to Annexe 3 and TMS, failure to comply with the FCHR has an immediate negative impact on the correct functioning of the FIFA Clearing House, since it undermines the allocation and distribution of the training rewards. 

In particular, it is essential that the proof of payment of the transfer fees agreed between clubs (both for international as well as domestic transfers) is uploaded under the relevant TMS instruction within thirty (30) days of the date of the payment and under the correct TMS section “payments” to ensure that training rewards triggers are properly identified by TMS (cf. arts. 6 and 7 of the FCHR). 

In view of the immediate negative impact on the proper functioning of the FIFA Clearing House as well as on training clubs, cases in which a club fails to upload the relevant proof of payment in the context of a domestic transfer will also be investigated by the FIFA general secretariat through an ASP, in line with art. 17 par. 5 of the FCHR. 

Finally, to guarantee the proper enforcement of the FCHR, an ASP can also be opened if an association or club fails to comply with other administrative obligations related to the FIFA Clearing House for which the FCHR do not establish the direct competence of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

We thank you for taking note of the above and for informing your affiliated clubs accordingly.

Yours faithfully, 

FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE

DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

IOC President at the second ANOCA Gender Equality Forum: “Everyone has a role to play to empower women in sport”

Nearly 200 key decision-makers from across the Olympic Movement in Africa gathered in Cabo Verde this week to continue working together towards gender equality in and through sport. The theme of the forum, “From the Boardroom to the Playing Field”, reiterated the need for the Olympic Movement to address gender equality in all areas of its activities and resulted in 10 key commitments to action.

Driving equality at all levels

Next summer’s Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be the first Games with full gender equality on the field of play. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has distributed the quota places equally: 50 per cent for women and 50 per cent for men. The same principle of gender equality will be fulfilled two years later at the first Olympic sports event to be held on the continent of Africa: the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026. These Youth Olympic Games were also a topic discussed at the forum, with participants being urged to look at the impact and opportunities of this event being held in Africa, with the aim of engaging more young women and girls in sport.

Off the field of play, meanwhile, the IOC’s own membership is growing more gender equal, with more than 40 per cent of IOC Members now female – and 50 per cent of the positions in the IOC commissions occupied by women, a landmark reached in 2022. However, as the IOC is the first to acknowledge, there is still much work to be done to bring about gender equality across the wider Olympic Movement – especially off the field of play.

“Everyone has a role to play”

IOC President Thomas Bach addressed the forum through a video message, with additional keynote addresses from Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Executive Director of UN Women and now Chair of the IOC’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights; and IOC Member HRH Prince Faisal Al Hussein, who serves as both the Chair of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC)’s Gender Equity Commission and the Vice-Chair of the IOC’s Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission.

In his video message, President Bach praised the progress that the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) has made so far – while also emphasising that the entire Olympic Movement needs to work together to narrow the gender gap across sport.

“Only 26 per cent of NOC [National Olympic Committee] leadership positions are occupied by women. Among the IFs [International Federations], only four are led by a woman, and just eight IFs have a female secretary general. We also see this gender gap in the athletes’ entourage, where the number of women holding leadership roles remains unacceptably low.

“If we truly want to promote gender equality and empower women in sport, not only as athletes, but also as coaches, officials and leaders, then everyone has a role to play – the IFs, the NOCs, the athletes and all the other partners and stakeholders.”

Commitments to action

Following two days of active discussions, the forum participants presented their “commitments to action” as a roadmap to work together for gender equality in Africa. These commitments comprise a range of actions and awareness-raising around the need for gender equality from grassroots level to elite sport, including:

• Increasing female athlete participation from grassroots to elite levels
• Implementing the gender balance quotas for governing bodies, with a minimum female representation level of 30 per cent, as outlined in the ANOCA statutes
• Increasing women’s capacity and representation in all categories (i.e. athletes’ entourage, administrators, etc.) from grassroots to elite levels
• Implementing and disseminating the IOC Portrayal Guidelines across media and sports stakeholders
• Establishing and implementing measures for a safe sport environment for all, especially groups that are at risk.

President Bach pointed out the importance of such actions in the efforts to advance gender equality: “Gender equality does not just magically happen. To continue to advance, we need deliberate policies and institutional commitment. This is why I am very pleased to see how ANOCA, through its Gender Equality Commission, is taking important steps. With your strong focus on promoting sport across Africa at the zone level, you are demonstrating the importance of a bottom-up approach – also when it comes to gender equality.”

IOC safeguarding workshop

On the sidelines of the forum, the IOC also hosted a safeguarding workshop for the NOCs. The workshop, held as part of the IOC’s objective to help NOCs develop their own policies and programmes to prevent harassment and abuse, focused on understanding the local challenges that are faced in terms of strengthening safe sport, and on discussing the local solutions available in the various zones of Africa.

English football unites to tackle discrimination

WADA signs memorandum of understanding with the World Health Organization

Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has signed a four-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the World Health Organization (WHO), which will allow experts from both international organizations to collaborate and share information on issues where anti-doping and public health intersect. 

The MOU was signed in Geneva, Switzerland, by WADA President, Witold Bańka, and Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The agreement will run until 1 October 2027 and provides a framework of cooperation between WADA and WHO to further their goals, specifically with regards to health promotion, the prevention of substance abuse and emerging drugs, and the promotion of clean sport. 

Mr. Bańka said: “The memorandum of understanding signed today with the World Health Organization is a watershed moment that will benefit anti-doping efforts worldwide. WADA leads the global collaborative mission for doping-free sport; and, in so doing, we also protect the health of individuals around the world. One of the three criteria for a substance to be added to WADA’s Prohibited List of Substances and Methods is if it represents an actual or potential health risk to athletes. Through our agreement with WHO, experts from both organizations will be able to work collaboratively to exchange information on emerging substances and reinforce scientific positions that will ultimately benefit not only athletes, but society as a whole. 

“WHO’s commitment to health and well-being of society at large fits perfectly with our mission. I want to thank Dr. Tedros and his team at WHO for their efforts leading up to this historic agreement and for their commitment to healthy, clean sport around the globe.” 

The themes of the MOU include: 

• Prevention and assessment of health risks associated with psychoactive substance use and related disorders, with a focus on doping compounds and substance use among athletes;  

• Awareness raising and advocacy for clean sport and substance misuse prevention worldwide;  

• Raising awareness through education initiatives with the support of goodwill ambassadors and influencers to drive positive change;

• Collaboration on sub-standard and falsified medical products, including identification of new emerging psychoactive drugs through sharing of information, mutual support, and engagement with sport federations; and

• Reporting on abuse and misuse of falsified and sub-standard medical products in sport. 

Dr. Tedros said partnering with WADA reflected WHO’s commitment to work closely with the sport sector to encourage increased physical activity globally in order to promote healthier lives for all. 

He said: "Sport and all forms of physical activity are essential to good health, and competitive sport plays a key role in inspiring people to be more active. The use of performance-enhancing substances can harm athletes, and certainly harms sport and those who look up to athletes as role-models. Keeping sport clean, therefore, has benefits beyond the sporting arena for the health and well-being of individuals and societies everywhere." 

The MOU also aligns with the organizations’ common objective of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Goal 3: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. These goals stem from the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 and provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.  

This formal agreement between WADA and WHO follows an initial meeting between the two organizations which took place in April 2023 at the WHO headquarters in Geneva. 

Player involvement helps shape UEFA Minimum Standards Framework for Women’s National Teams

• FIFPRO Europe collaborated with UEFA to deliver the first edition of UEFA’s Minimum Standards Framework for Women’s National Teams
  
  
• Framework outlines how national associations should have transparent policies on responding to harassment and discrimination, as well as expenses and remuneration, parental and pregnancy rights, and the handling of player data
  
  
• Example of how involvement of players, unions, national associations and confederations can help shape better conditions for national team football

FIFPRO Europe collaborated with UEFA to deliver the first edition of UEFA’s Minimum Standards Framework for Women’s National Teams – ensuring senior women’s national team players in Europe receive better environments and safeguards.

The framework details how associations have a duty towards players to provide “quality care and sporting conditions to ensure their welfare and wellbeing” while on national team duty.

It also states how coaches must serve the interests of women’s national team football and promote sporting excellence, that national associations should ensure optimal training facilities and the most direct available travel routes for players, and that cooperative agreements which foster regular engagement should exist between associations and players.

Governance provisions in the framework outline how national associations should have transparent and collaboratively agreed policies on responding to harassment and discrimination, as well as on expenses and remuneration, parental and pregnancy rights, and the handling of player data.

An annual incentive of up to EUR 100,000 is allocated to each UEFA national association to implement the minimum standards for the next four years.

FIFPRO Europe President David Terrier said: "The close cooperation between FIFPRO Europe and UEFA has been instrumental in shaping this landmark initiative.

“We are committed to further strengthening our relationship with UEFA for the benefit of players throughout the continent. FIFPRO Europe remains dedicated to advancing European football as a whole."

UEFA's Managing Director of Women's Football Nadine Kessler said: “The announcement of the framework marks a crucial milestone for women’s national team football, made possible through the positive collaborative spirit of all involved.

“Bringing the national team captains and FIFPRO Europe into the development of such a project was essential and we are convinced that it has led to a better outcome for all. This project promises a huge impact on the women’s game by providing players with the best possible conditions to perform.”

Frameworks core objectives

• Improve conditions and environments for national team players throughout Europe;
• Support all national associations by providing the best care and environments for players on duty for the national team;
• Protect national associations and players alike through greater transparency and good governance of national teams;
• Increase the sporting level of all nations in international competitions;
• Foster stakeholder relations between national associations and players.

Malta women’s national team captain Emma Lipman said: "Being involved in the meetings and discussions on the framework was an opportunity for me as a player to positively shape the game.

"I look forward to the framework being implemented, and I’m happy that the initiative will continue to have the players at the heart of it. It’s a big step forward for national team football in Europe."

FIFPRO’s Director of Global Policy & Strategic Relations Women's Football Sarah Gregorius said: "This framework is the latest example of what can be achieved when a player-centric perspective that actively involves the player voice is established and enshrined. Players are empowered to both participate in, and choose their elected representatives in, these conversations, solidifying and protecting their rightful role in the dialogue.

"Women’s national team players, and the sport more broadly in Europe, will significantly benefit from these important changes that provide safeguards and improved conditions for players – taking women’s football on an important next step in its overall continued development."

Slovenian tennis official provisionally suspended

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Slovenian tennis umpire Marko Ducman has been provisionally suspended from the sport, pending the full consideration of Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP) charges.  
  
Since 8 September 2023, the bronze badge official has been prohibited from competing in or attending any sanctioned tennis events organised by the governing bodies of the sport. 
 
The provisional suspension was imposed under Section F.3.b.i.4. of the TACP, and was not appealed by Ducman: 

F.3.b.i.4. There is a likelihood that the Covered Person has committed a Major Offense and in the absence of a Provisional Suspension, the integrity of tennis would be undermined and the harm resulting from the absence of a Provisional Suspension outweighs the Hardship of the Provisional Suspension on the Covered Person. 
  
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) is an independent body established in 2021 by the ATP, ITF, WTA and Grand Slams to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of their professional tennis events worldwide.

WADA publishes 2024 Prohibited List

Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes the 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List), which was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) during its meeting on 22 September 2023 and enters into force on 1 January 2024.  

We also publish: 

• the 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes as compared to the 2023 List; and 

• the 2024 Monitoring Program, which includes substances that are not on the List, but that WADA wishes to monitor in order to detect potential patterns of misuse in sport.   

The List is one of the eight International Standards that are mandatory for all Signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). It designates what substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports. 

WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said: “We encourage athletes, their entourage and all stakeholders to acquaint themselves with the Summary of Major Modifications to avoid inadvertent use of substances and methods that are prohibited in sport for 2024. In particular, we kindly ask all Anti-Doping Organizations around the world to share the List and its related documents with athletes, their entourage and other relevant stakeholders under their jurisdiction.  

Major modifications for 2024 

All Major Modifications for 2024 are outlined in the 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, including the following particular information regarding tramadol:   

On 23 September 2022, the ExCo endorsed the recommendation by WADA’s List Expert Advisory Group to prohibit the narcotic tramadol in competition, effective 1 January 2024. The delay in implementation was to provide an additional year to allow enough time for stakeholders to learn and adapt to this change.  

Tramadol has been on WADA’s Monitoring Program and data gathered through that program have indicated significant use in sports. Tramadol abuse, with its risk of physical dependence, opiate use disorder and overdoses, is of concern worldwide and has led to it being a controlled drug in many countries. Research studies funded by WADA, as referenced in the Explanatory Note, have also confirmed the potential for tramadol to enhance sports performance. 

Annual list review process 

WADA leads an annual revision process concerning the List, beginning with an initial meeting in January and concluding with the publication of the List by 1 October. This is an extensive consultation process that includes WADA’s List Expert Advisory Group gathering information including the latest scientific and medical research, trends, and intelligence gathered from law enforcement and pharmaceutical companies; circulating a draft List among stakeholders; and, taking their submissions into consideration to revise the draft, followed by review by the Agency’s Health, Medical and Research (HMR) Committee. The HMR Committee then makes its recommendations to WADA’s ExCo, which approves the List during its September meeting. 

For a substance or method to be added to the List, it must be determined that it meets at least two of the following three criteria: 

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

The List is released three months ahead of it taking effect so that athletes, their entourage and other stakeholders can acquaint themselves with any modifications. Ultimately, athletes are responsible for prohibited substances found in their body and prohibited methods found to have been used. Athlete entourage are also liable for Anti-Doping Rule Violations if determined to be complicit. Consequently, if there is any doubt as to the status of a substance or method, it is important that they contact their respective Anti-Doping Organizations (International Federation or National Anti-Doping Organization) for advice. 

The Therapeutic use Exemption Program

It should be noted that for athletes who have a legitimate medical reason for using a prohibited substance or method that is on the List, they can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to determine whether they meet the criteria outlined in the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE). The TUE Program is a rigorous and necessary part of elite sport which has overwhelming acceptance from athletes, physicians and anti-doping stakeholders. 

Educational Resources

In addition to the documents linked above, WADA has provided, or will provide, a number of educational resources as part of its Code Implementation Support Program (CISP), which can be accessed on the Agency’s Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform (ADEL). These resources include: 

• A CISP Checklist – Implementing Revised List (available now) 
• Athlete and Athlete Support Personnel (ASP) Factsheet on tramadol (to be available in November) 
• Medical Professionals Factsheet on tramadol (to be available in November) 
• Athlete and ASP Guide to the 2024 List (to be available in January 2024) 

Languages and Formats

The 2024 Prohibited List; the 2024 Summary of Modifications and Explanatory Notes; and the 2024 Monitoring Program are available for download on WADA’s website in English and French with Spanish to follow in the coming weeks. 

Stakeholders wishing to translate the List into other languages are kindly asked to signal their interest to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. WADA will then provide the necessary files and, once the translation is finalized, will make the translated List available on the Agency’s website. 

The List’s mobile-friendly digital edition will go live on 1 January 2024. 

EFL Statement: Club meeting

At a meeting of EFL Clubs today a comprehensive update was provided on the status of ongoing discussions between the EFL and Premier League. 

A draft proposal from the Premier League was examined in full, as Clubs were given information on the structure of a potential future financial arrangement for them.

An appraisal of conditions linked to future funding including cost controls, distribution mechanics, the football calendar and the impact of the Government’s proposed Independent Football Regulator (IFR) as part of the Football Governance White Paper, was also provided to Clubs.  

A representative of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport was in attendance to offer an update on the establishment of the IFR so that Clubs could consider all relevant matters together.

As several important issues are still to be resolved, it was made clear at the meeting that nothing has been agreed with either the Premier League or its Clubs. As such EFL Clubs were not required to vote or take a decision on any matter, but instead held a proactive debate on the current status of the discussions. 

To maintain momentum, the League will now enter into targeted consultation with all EFL Clubs in smaller groups, to consider additional context and detail of the proposal. Club views will be collated to inform the discussions with the Premier League which have been ongoing throughout 2023, as we seek a speedy and satisfactory conclusion to improve the financial health of EFL Clubs. 

Swedish tennis player provisionally suspended

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Swedish tennis player Dragos Nicolae Madaras has been provisionally suspended from the sport, pending the full consideration of Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP) charges.

Since 17 August 2023, the player has been prohibited from competing in or attending any sanctioned tennis events organised by the governing bodies of the sport.

The provisional suspension was imposed under Section F.3.b.i.1. of the TACP:

F.3.b.i.1. The Covered Person has failed to comply with a Demand

The player appealed against the imposition of the provisional suspension, but their appeal was dismissed by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Professor Richard McLaren on 22 September 2023.

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

EDUCATION IS KEY – SO HOW ARE WE TRACKING?

Every year Sport Integrity Australia revises its Anti-Doping Education Plan in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code International Standard of Education. The plan details our goals, objectives, resources, target audiences, interventions, and key activities for anti-doping education for each financial year. It helps us ensure Australian athletes and sports personnel are getting the best education possible in this space.

The 2022-2023 financial year saw us deliver education across five key target areas:

• National Sporting Organisations (NSOs)
• School and tertiary education
• Medical practitioners
• Digital and online, and
• International engagement and research.

Sport Integrity Australia Director of Education Alexis Cooper says tracking our education across all elements of sport integrity is important to ensuring we’re staying ahead of the game when it comes to keeping sport safe, fair and healthy for everyone.

“We’ve achieved some great reach this year through our education deliverables, but as with anything, there is always an opportunity for improvement,” she says when reviewing the results.

“More than 140 education sessions were delivered to over 5,400 people and while we’d have liked to have done a little bit more, this figure is still a 70% increase on 2021-22 and brings our program back in line with pre-COVID levels. Feedback from these sessions indicated that over 99% of attendees felt they had a better understanding of the anti-doping rules following their attendance, and our presenters received an average rating of 9.3 out of 10.”

Working with sports on their education is an essential part of ensuring maximum reach for best results.

“In regard to education plans within NSOs we now have 91 Anti-Doping Education Plans in place which is the greatest number of education plans endorsed by sport since they were first developed. We’d like 100% compliance in 2023-24 and will continue to work towards that result.”

Finding new and innovative ways to deliver education to ensure all learning styles are catered for is a particular focus each year.

“Our Decision Making in Sport Virtual Reality sessions continue to grow within schools and pathways sports, and our Managing Integrity in Sport course in conjunction with Victoria University reached another 60 sport administrators last financial year. The 2023 Annual Update online course has been completed by 19,282 people and our Health Effects app was updated to ensure greater athlete reach.”

Ms Cooper says growing our education through partnerships, collaborations, new technologies and additional resources will continue to be a focus for the coming 12 months.

“Safety in sport does not stop at the border, so both national and international approaches are key if we want to remain at the forefront of sport integrity,” she says.  “Continuing our active involvement in the WADA Global Learning and Development Framework for Education, and our close working relationships with our international counterparts helps to enhance the education we offer both in Australia and globally.”

Further deliverables will be included in the Sport Integrity Australia education plan for 2023-24 to ensure continual improvement for maximum reach and best results.

To find out more about the education we offer, head to the Education page of our website.

While education is an essential part of our commitment to clean, far sport, we don’t limit our education to anti-doping. In addition to the improper use of medicines and the dangers of substances and supplements, our education extends to all areas of our remit including safeguarding, member protection, competition manipulation and match-fixing.

50 suspicious betting alerts reported by IBIA in Q3 2023

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) reported 50 suspicious betting alerts to the relevant authorities in third quarter (Q3) of 2023. The Q3 2023 total is the same as reported in Q2 and brings the Q1-3 2023 period to 148 alerts. Football and tennis accounted for 56% of all Q3 alerts. The 50 suspicious betting alerts were identified across IBIA members’ global businesses, which number over 125 sports betting brands and over US$137 billion in betting turnover per annum, making IBIA the largest integrity monitor of its type in the world.

The 50 incidents of suspicious betting in Q3 concerned eight sports, across 21 countries and five continents. Other key data for Q3 2023 includes:

• The 50 alerts reported in Q3 2023 are a decrease of 41% when compared to the Q3 total for 2022, which saw 85 alerts.
• Tennis had the highest number of alerts with 15 in Q3 2023, representing a 7% increase on the 14 alerts reported in Q2 and a 55% decrease on the 33 reported in Q3 2022.
• Football (soccer) accounted for 13 alerts, a 32% decrease on the 19 cases reported in Q2
• Europe, with 30 alerts, made up 60% of the total reported, followed by South America with 7 alerts (14%).

Khalid Ali, IBIA CEO, said: “The quarter saw a continued reduction in alerts with a more than 30% decrease in the first three quarters relative to 2022, with tennis a major contributory factor. During the quarter, IBIA and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) co-hosted a best practice integrity seminar in New York with many of the premier sports and betting operators in the US. That cross-sector cooperative approach underlines the strength of our relationship with tennis, as acknowledged by the ITIA, and our shared commitment to working in partnership to combat corruption in that sport.” 

The Q3 integrity report includes a breakdown of alerts reported on sporting events taking place in North America between 2018-2022. It also contains an analysis of tennis alerts, which average 13 tennis cases per quarter in 2023 compared to an average of 26 per quarter in 2022 and 20 per quarter in 2021. The latest US sports betting gross win calculations, provided by leading global gambling market intelligence company H2 Gambling Capital, show that the licensed on onshore market is expected to reach US$11.7bn in gross win in 2023, rising to US$18.9bn by 2026. 

Of the 50 alerts reported in Q3 2023, three related to women only events, 43 for men only events with three mixed gender and one an animal sporting event (greyhound racing). IBIA has recently released a ground-breaking study that analyses the size and characteristics of the women's sports betting market and examines the potential vulnerability of women's sports to match-fixing.

LFP PRESS RELEASE: The fight against homophobia

Following the appearance articles about the cancellation of the rainbow jersey number in the next round, dedicated to the fight against homophobia, the Ligue de Football Professionnel would like to make it clear that work is currently underway to prepare for the rounds dedicated to the fight against racism next March, and the fight against homophobia next May.

A meeting is scheduled for mid-November with partner associations to prepare for these two events. These two communication and awareness-raising campaigns aimed at the general public are part of an over-arching anti-discrimination plan. They are accompanied by in-depth work being carried out in parallel.

The fight against discrimination is enshrined in the LFP's articles of association and is the subject of year-round work with clubs. The LFP organises workshops to raise awareness of the fight against discrimination, and homophobia in particular, at all Ligue 1 Uber Eats and Ligue 2 BKT clubs. Alongside associations (LICRA, Foot Ensemble, Fondation pour un Sport Inclusif, PanamBoyz & Girlz United, SOS Homophobie) and the UNFP, the LFP is visiting professional clubs to meet professional players, staff members, managers and fans to raise awareness of the fight against discrimination. These workshops provide an opportunity for discussion and debate to raise awareness among the various players involved. To date, 48 workshops have been held at 20 different clubs since the scheme was launched.

These initiatives are fully in line with the letter co-signed by Vincent Labrune (Chairman of the LFP) alongside Amélie Oudéa-Castéra (Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games), Bérengère Couillard (Minister for Equality between Women and Men and the Fight against Discrimination) and Philippe Diallo (Chairman of the FFF). All those involved in professional football need to step up their efforts to support our common fight for inclusion, respect and an end to homophobic behaviour and all forms of discrimination, through prevention and awareness-raising initiatives at local level.

WADA update on the compliance status of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency

Further to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA's) Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting of 22 September 2023, and the update of 28 September 2023, WADA wishes to update stakeholders regarding the ExCo’s decision to follow the recommendation of WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) to allege new consequences and reinstatement conditions against the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), which is already non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code⁽¹⁾. The non-compliance in this case was a result of a non-conformity relating to national legislation that was identified during a virtual audit in September 2022 and not addressed to date. 

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

Today, WADA has received formal notification from RUSADA that it disputes WADA’s allegation of non-compliance, the proposed consequences and reinstatement conditions. WADA will shortly refer the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for its consideration. As such, the consequences will not apply until such time as CAS makes its ruling. 

(1) As it relates to the December 2020 decision by CAS, since the end of the two-year period of consequences imposed by CAS, WADA has been assessing and monitoring RUSADA to see whether it meets all the reinstatement conditions contained in the CAS decision. Until all the reinstatement conditions are met, RUSADA cannot be considered for reinstatement. In addition, RUSADA will not be eligible for reinstatement under the CAS Award until the non-conformity related to its national legislation (described above) is resolved. 

For more information on non-compliant Signatories 

There are currently four non-compliant Code Signatories. They are the NADOs from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Gabon and Russia, as well as the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation.   

For more information on the Signatories and the consequences, please visit the ‘Global list of non-compliant signatories and applicable consequences’ page of WADA’s website. While WADA will monitor the implementation of the consequences, under Code Article 24.1.9, other Signatories to the Code must recognize and implement the consequences in full.  

Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 – The ITA notifies boxing athlete Chinzorig Baatarsukh (Mongolia) of an apparent anti-doping rule violation

The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from boxing athlete Chinzorig Baatarsukh from Mongolia has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for metandienone metabolite, a non-specified Prohibited Substance, according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an in-competition anti-doping control performed on 4 October 2023. The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.

The athlete has been informed of the case. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-samples.

The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.

Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.

List of Anti-Doping Rule Violations at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022

Court of Arbitration for Sport upholds FEI Tribunal Decision imposing 10-year suspension for horse abuse case

Following lengthy appeal proceedings, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed and upheld the FEI Tribunal’s decision in the case against Andrew Kocher delivered in June 2021, which saw the US Athlete suspended for 10 years for the use of electric spurs on several horses throughout a prolonged period of time.

Other sanctions in the FEI Tribunal decision rendered two years ago, also included the disqualification of results from eight FEI events between June 2018 and November 2019 where evidence supported the athlete’s use of electric spurs on horses, alongside a CHF 10,000 fine and legal costs to the amount of CHF 7,500. Kocher appealed the said FEI Tribunal decision on 1 July 2021, seeking to eliminate or otherwise reduce the sanctions imposed.

The FEI Tribunal decision was the result of a lengthy investigation by the FEI, starting in June 2020 following allegations of electric spur use reported to the independent Equestrian Community Integrity Unit (ECIU). It was alleged that Kocher had used electric spurs on a number of FEI registered and national horses in international and national events, and during training.

Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the FEI formally opened disciplinary proceedings against Kocher in October 2020. During the proceeding before the FEI Tribunal, it was also discovered that Kocher instructed his employees to use the electric spurs on specific horses. For that purpose, Kocher provided to his employees several electric spurs devices which he manufactured himself.

In its decision, the CAS Panel reached the same conclusion as the FEI Tribunal, to the effect that a ten-year suspension was merited, during which Kocher is barred from participating in or attending, in any capacity, including as a spectator, any competition or event that is authorised or organised by the FEI or any National Federation. The provisional suspension served by Kocher since 28 October 2020 shall be credited against this period of suspension, which will therefore come to an end on 27 October 2030. The CHF 10,000 fine was also upheld and Kocher is furthermore ordered to pay costs of CHF 7,500.

“We are extremely satisfied with this outcome and that the sanctions the FEI Tribunal imposed, to reflect the severity of the offenses committed by Mr Kocher, have been upheld by CAS”, said FEI Legal Director Mikael Rentsch. 

“It may have taken two years to complete this process, but it confirms that we had the right decision to start with, and that there is no room for leniency when it comes to cases of horse abuse. 

“We have rules and regulations in place to protect the integrity of our competitions and the wellbeing of our horses, and when these rules are breached and their welfare is jeopardised, we will continue to seek to impose maximum sentences.”

The full CAS decision is available here.

The FEI Tribunal Decision is available here.

WADA Prohibited List for 2024 confirmed, tramadol banned in-competition

As we approach the final stages of the 2023 tour season, the ITIA is reminding players and their support teams to be aware of upcoming changes to the WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency] Prohibited List, which will take effect from 1 January 2024. 
 
The full list of prohibited substances has been published by WADA and is available here. The most notable change to the list is the addition of tramadol, a well-known and commonly used pain-killing drug. Tramadol will become a prohibited substance in the new year, following recommendation of the List Expert Advisory Group to prohibit its use in competition from 2024. 
 
Tramadol has been on the WADA Monitoring Program and data gathered through that programme have indicated significant use in sports. Tramadol abuse, with its dose-dependent risks of physical dependence, opiate addiction and overdoses in the general population, is of concern and has led to it being a controlled drug in many countries. Research studies funded by WADA have also confirmed the potential for tramadol to enhance sports performance. 
 
The ITIA will work with everyone on the tennis tour to ensure that players understand the changes to the WADA Prohibited List in 2024. Players who currently use tramadol as part of their pain management regimen are urged to phase out its use as soon as possible, as its presence in a player’s system will constitute a breach of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) from January 2024 – except in the cases in which a player successfully applies for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), with legitimate medical grounds for use. 
 
Committed to prioritising prevention of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) over punishment, the ITIA will – in collaboration with the ATP, WTA, and ITF - deliver a mixture of direct communication, education sessions and visual reminders in player-facing areas at tournaments to ensure that players are fully aware of the changes ahead of the 2024 season. 
 
Nicole Sapstead, the ITIA’s Senior Director for Anti-Doping, said: “It is essential that all players and their representatives are aware of upcoming changes to the Prohibited List. In particular, players must note the addition of tramadol as a banned substance from next year. 
 
“As a sport, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that the non-essential use of tramadol is eliminated before the changes to the Prohibited List take effect. 
 
“Being unaware of changes to the list is, unfortunately, no defence against prospective sanctions, and it is incumbent upon the entire tennis family to protect players from unintentional doping violations by taking a proactive approach to rule changes.” 
 
Players seeking further understanding of the WADA Prohibited List, or seeking practical support from the ITIA on anti-doping matters, can make contact with us directly via our app, through direct message on social media, or by filling out the contact form at itia.tennis. 

Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 – The ITA notifies weighlifter Erdenezul Buyandelger (Mongolia) of an apparent anti-doping rule violation

The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from weightlifter Erdenezul Buyandelger, from Mongolia, has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for the non-specified prohibited steroid drostanolone metabolite according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an out-of-competition anti-doping control performed on 1 October 2023. The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.

The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. She has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.

The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.

Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.

EFL and EFL Clubs ‘Together Against Racism’ in fight against discrimination

The EFL has today launched its ‘Together Against Racism’ initiative which renews appeals to football supporters to report any incidents of racism and discrimination they see or hear in stadiums and online.  

Clubs will also showcase the work that is being undertaken up and down the country to promote inclusion and make Clubs representative of the communities in which they are located.

With support from anti-discrimination charity, Kick It Out, the campaign sees a focused drive from the EFL and its Clubs to combat racism and all forms of discrimination in football.

Across four weekends in October, every EFL Club will run a ‘Together Against Racism’ matchday reminding fans how they can report abuse, so that football and law enforcement authorities can ensure that there are consequences for abusers, while victims get the support they need.

Tackling discriminatory abuse is a key part of the football-wide Love Football Protect the Game initiative which aims to combat all dangerous and illegal behaviour at football grounds across the country.

Building on English football’s shared commitment on equality, discrimination and inclusion, ‘Together Against Racism’ will run concurrently alongside the Premier League’s ‘No Room for Racism’ and the FA’s ‘Enough is Enough’ campaigns throughout October, highlighting the collective approach that is being taken at all levels of the game.

Trevor Birch, Chief Executive of the the EFL, said:

“Football has a platform to effect positive change across society, so we are proud to be collaborating with partners across the game to ensure a welcoming environment for everyone.

“Our clubs are working hard to stamp out unwelcome behaviour from football and via the many measures the game has introduced in recent years we will continue to support them as we look to make the EFL truly representative of the communities we represent.”

The Together Against Racism campaign launch has been supported by former Reading midfielder and Jamaican international Jobi McAnuff who narrated a video on how to report discrimination.

Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 – The ITA notifies track and field athlete Wesam Nasser A Alfarsi (Saudi Arabia) of an apparent anti-doping rule violation

The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from track and field athlete Wesam Nasser A ALFARSI, from Saudi Arabia, has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for the non-specified prohibited substance darbepoetin (dEPO) according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an out-of-competition anti-doping control performed on 29 September 2023.

The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.

The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.

The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.

Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.

Man jailed for selling illegal 'Firesticks' showing Premier League matches

The individual behind a sophisticated illegal streaming service which showed Premier League matches has been jailed today for two and a half years.

The conviction and sentencing of Steven Mills, aged 58 from Shrewsbury, follows a joint investigation by the Premier League, West Mercia Police, and anti-piracy organisation FACT.

Mills, who ran the organisation which sold so-called "Firesticks" via a closed Facebook group and claimed to have more than 30,000 subscribers, pleaded guilty in June earlier this year to multiple fraud offences at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

He was also convicted of a separate offence for watching the illegal content that he was supplying to others, with the court recognising that his own use of the unauthorised service was a distinct crime in itself. Mills received a separate prison sentence for this offence.

The service provided customers with a bespoke app and streaming devices, including “Firesticks”, to view a wide range of sport and entertainment content. Mills took significant steps to disguise his activity from detection including posting bundles of cash to suppliers and operating under a number of aliases.

In his sentencing remarks the judge in the case commented on the sophistication of the operation. The judge highlighted the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and recorded tutorial videos which supported his customers to access the illegal content.

Trading under the names Pikabox and Eyepeeteevee, the organisation received more than £1million in five years. The service was primarily provided to UK-based customers and was also sold to a network of resellers, who are currently under investigation.

The enquiry and subsequent raids by police provided intelligence which identified more than 1,000 of his customers. In January this year police and FACT officials visited a number of those individuals, serving notices to cease illegal streaming activities with immediate effect.  

Kevin Plumb, Premier League General Counsel, said: “The sentence handed down by the Crown Court today once again clearly demonstrates the severity of piracy-related offences and the consequences that come with them.

“It is vital that the public continue to be made aware of the dangers and criminality associated with using illegal streaming services.  

“We are aware that so-called ‘Firesticks’ are being sold as a means of illegally accessing all kinds of content, and today’s judgment should remove any doubt that it is illegal and treated very seriously by the courts.”

Detective Inspector Matt McNelis, Senior Investigating Officer, West Mercia Police, added: “This was a great example of partners from law enforcement and industry coming together to have a profound effect on this type of criminality.

“It’s clear that no single agency alone can be as effective as closely coordinated teams working towards achieving an objective. The investigation, run by the Force Cyber Crime Unit, utilised sensitive tactics to increase the preventative messaging during the arrest phase before following up again with FACT to disrupt and educate others linked to Mills earlier this year.

“We are grateful for the advice provided by the Premier League legal team and of course to colleagues in the Government Agency Intelligence Network (GAIN) and look forward to working with the team again in the near future.”

Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT, added: “FACT are proud to have supported the Premier League in this major investigation. This successful outcome would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of West Mercia Police and GAIN. FACT are committed to safeguarding the broadcast rights of our partners and we hope that the severity of the sentence sends out a clear message that piracy is a crime that is taken very seriously by the courts."

Today’s judgment follows the successful prosecution earlier this year which resulted in five individuals being jailed for a total of 30 years and seven months in what is thought to be the world’s largest-ever prosecution of an illegal streaming network which offered illegal access to Premier League matches.

British bobsledder Nathan Togun given additional nine-year ban from sport

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today confirmed that British bobsledder Nathan Togun will serve an additional nine-year ban from sport following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for Tampering and a breach of the terms of his original ban.

In August 2019, Mr Togun was issued with a four-year ban from sport after a Sample he provided on 6 October 2018 returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for metabolites of stanozolol. In the course of those proceedings, Mr Togun asserted that he had been prescribed stanozolol for a medical condition and provided UKAD with a ‘Statement of fitness for work’ certificate to support that assertion. This certificate purported to confirm that Mr Togun was not fit for work and indicated that he had been prescribed stanozolol.  

UKAD made enquiries to check the veracity of the document and found that the document was not genuine.

On 11 November 2022, UKAD charged Mr Togun with the commission of an ADRV for Tampering. On 14 February 2023, Mr Togun admitted the charge. Since this was Mr Togun’s second ADRV, the period of Ineligibility to be applied is eight years (which is twice the ban that would have been applied had this been Mr Togun’s first ADRV).

Separately, in late 2019, UKAD became aware that Mr Togun, while serving his original ban, had been assisting an Athlete licensed by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC). Contrary to the terms of his ban, Mr Togun partook in sparring sessions with the Athlete and assisted him with strength and conditioning sessions.

On 25 October 2022 following a full investigation, UKAD charged Mr Togun with a breach of Article 10.12.1 of the ADR and proposed an additional period of Ineligibility of one-year by way of sanction. Mr Togun accepted this new period of Ineligibility in respect of the breach of his original ban.

Mr Togun’s nine-year ban from sport was deemed to have commenced on 13 November 2022 and will expire on 12 November 2031.

Jane Rumble, UKAD’s Chief Executive, added: “The rules are in place to make sure everyone plays their part in keeping sport clean and to ensure a level playing field.

“Tampering with any part of the Doping Control process is a serious offence. Where an Athlete seeks to undermine the Doping Control process, including by providing falsified documentation to UKAD during Anti-Doping proceedings, they should be under no illusion that such behaviour will lead to a lengthy ban from sport.

“Furthermore, this case shows that UKAD will act on intelligence and investigate to enforce bans on athletes who do not respect the conditions of their original sanctions.”

FC Barcelona under investigation for bribery in refereeing case

FC Barcelona are facing a bribery charge in the Spanish courts for their payments to former vice-president of the Spanish Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) José María Enríquez Negreira which totalled €7.7 million between 2001 and 2018. 

El Mundo reveal that, in a report requested by the court, Spain's Civil Guard had concluded that referees under the watch of the CTA's former president Victoriano Sanchez Arminio and Negreira weren't always "unbiased". It was found that they ran an "irregular operation" while overseeing the committee, where decisions which "would not have always had impartial support" from a sporting perspective were made.

Judge Joaquin Aguirre Lopez reviewed the public prosecutor’s case and ruled that the matter would proceed to trial with the club former presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu, Sandro Rosell and Negreira’s son Javier Enríquez also being named as defendants. 

As explained by Cadena SER, the parties involved have been notified by the judge presiding the case that the original crime of "continued corruption between individuals in the sports field" is merely that. Instead, the judge believes that the crime of bribery fits the case better, because Negreira "participated in the exercise of public functions" during the period of time that he received payments from Barca, which then ceased when he left his position.

The judge also said that he believed the case demonstrated the club obtained advantages from referees. It will be for a jury, nine people under Spanish law, to decide.

If found guilty the club could be suspended from La Liga and given the clubs precarious financial situation this would likely result in bankruptcy, the individual defendants could receive between three and six years in prison. 

UEFA will conduct their own investigation into the allegations but this may not be undertaken until the Spanish court has issued its ruling. All of the defendants deny the allegations. 

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IN THE ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING RUSADA, THE ISU, WADA AND KAMILA VALIEVA, THE CAS HEARING HAS BEEN ADJOURNED AND WILL RESUME ON 9-10 NOVEMBER 2023

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing in the arbitration procedures CAS 2023/A/9451 Association Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) v. Kamila Valieva, CAS 2023/A/9455 International Skating Union (ISU) v. Kamila Valieva, Association Russian AntiDoping Agency (RUSADA), and CAS 2023/A/9456 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) v. Association Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) & Kamila Valieva) has been adjourned at the end of its third day.

The Panel of arbitrators in charge of the matter heard the parties (RUSADA, ISU, WADA and Ms Valieva), their experts and witnesses during the hearing that took place at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, this week. After the presentation of evidence by the parties, the Panel ordered the production of further documentation and, in order to allow the parties to consider and address such documentation, allowed two further days for the hearing of the appeal. The hearing will therefore resume on 9 and 10 November 2023 in Lausanne at which time the evidentiary proceedings will be completed and the Panel will hear the parties’ closing submissions. The Panel will then deliberate and prepare the Arbitral Award containing its decision.