Wednesday 18 March 2009

CAS lifts doping bans on Italian pair

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) have decided to temporarily lift the one-year bans handed to Daniele Mannini and Davide Possanzini so their doping cases can be re-examined.

CAS suspended the pair in January after they were found guilty of turning up late for drug tests when playing for Serie B club Brescia in 2007.

The CAS ruling followed a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenge of the 15-day ban handed down by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI).


The heavy bans caused outrage in Italy and the country's Football Federation (FIGC) asked CAS to reconsider given neither player had failed a drugs test.

The Italian Footballers' Association (AIC) protested by delaying the start of all 21 matches in Serie A and B by 15 minutes as a sign of solidarity for the palyers on the weekend of January 31.

"CAS has decided to temporarily lift the ban imposed on the two players, pending the final resolution of this case," a statement read.

"Additional evidence has now been placed before CAS which has re-convened the panel of arbitrators in charge of this matter.

"The panel will have to decide whether the additional evidence that has been submitted can be considered, and if so, whether it has any influence on the outcome."

Brescia President Gino Corioni claims midfielder Mannini, now with Napoli in Serie A, and striker Possanzini were ordered to attend a post-match dressing room meeting in December 2007 following a third successive defeat was the reason the led to their late arrival for the doping tests.

Source: Reuters

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