Share

Valverde to appeal doping ban

Paris - Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde plans to appeal a two-year ban imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport over evidence of having doped with the blood booster EPO.

Valverde, 30, was quoted as saying in a statement on Tuesday that he and his advisors consider the CAS ruling "totally unjust and illegal."

He said he would bring the case before the Federal Supreme Court (Tribunal) of Switzerland, and, if necessary, before the European Court of Human Rights.

The Swiss-based CAS said on Monday it granted a request by the ruling cycling body UCI and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to extend a ban on racing in Italy, imposed last year by the nation's Olympic Committee, to a worldwide ban.

Valverde was retroactively banned from January 1, 2010, but he was allowed to keep his results until then, including the 2009 Vuelta title.

Valverde was implicated in evidence seized by Spanish authorities in 2006 in connection with Operation Puerto case centering on doctor Eufemiano Fuentes.

The Italian authorities banned Valverde for two years via a Spanish blood bag containing EPO that was attributed to him via DNA tests. He never failed a doping test.

The UCI and WADA have expressed their satisfaction with the verdict, while Spain's highest sports body CSD and the nation's anti-doping agency AEA said they will respect it.

Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) supremo Juan Carlos Castano said his body has to accept the ruling and lamented that Spanish justice authorities have refused up now to share Operation Puerto evidence with sports organisations.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE