Related News
Gasquet relieved as CAS overturns cocaine ban
Source: Agencies |
December 19, 2009, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
RICHARD Gasquet was cleared of any wrongdoing on Thursday when a sports court accepted his claim that he tested positive for cocaine by kissing a woman in a nightclub.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne dismissed appeals by the World Anti-Doping Agency and International Tennis Federation, which wanted Gasquet banned for up to two years. "I'm absolutely relieved. This is the end of a crazy story," the 23-year-old Frenchman said. "I'm happy to be cleared."
The court accepted Gasquet's claim that he inadvertently consumed cocaine by kissing the woman in a Miami club hours after withdrawing from a tournament in March.
"It was impossible for the player, even when exercising the utmost caution, to know that in kissing a woman who he had met in a totally unsuspicious environment, he could be contaminated with cocaine," the court said in a statement.
A CAS panel of three lawyers said the quantity of the drug in Gasquet's urine test was "minute" and the 23-year-old Frenchman was "clearly not a regular cocaine user."
"The possibility of contamination became the most plausible explanation," CAS said.
The verdict was greeted with dismay by WADA and the ITF, the sport's world governing body.
"WADA considered that the evidence warranted full and total scrutiny," director-general David Howman said. "WADA abides by the CAS ruling and has no further comment at this stage."
ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti said the federation was "disappointed" with the court's ruling.
"The ITF also recognizes the potential implications of the CAS decision with respect to future decisions and will discuss these with WADA," he said.
Gasquet served a 2?-month suspension before an independent ITF tribunal cleared him in July.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne dismissed appeals by the World Anti-Doping Agency and International Tennis Federation, which wanted Gasquet banned for up to two years. "I'm absolutely relieved. This is the end of a crazy story," the 23-year-old Frenchman said. "I'm happy to be cleared."
The court accepted Gasquet's claim that he inadvertently consumed cocaine by kissing the woman in a Miami club hours after withdrawing from a tournament in March.
"It was impossible for the player, even when exercising the utmost caution, to know that in kissing a woman who he had met in a totally unsuspicious environment, he could be contaminated with cocaine," the court said in a statement.
A CAS panel of three lawyers said the quantity of the drug in Gasquet's urine test was "minute" and the 23-year-old Frenchman was "clearly not a regular cocaine user."
"The possibility of contamination became the most plausible explanation," CAS said.
The verdict was greeted with dismay by WADA and the ITF, the sport's world governing body.
"WADA considered that the evidence warranted full and total scrutiny," director-general David Howman said. "WADA abides by the CAS ruling and has no further comment at this stage."
ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti said the federation was "disappointed" with the court's ruling.
"The ITF also recognizes the potential implications of the CAS decision with respect to future decisions and will discuss these with WADA," he said.
Gasquet served a 2?-month suspension before an independent ITF tribunal cleared him in July.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
