Share

Fury faces charge over banned substance

London - World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury was provisionally suspended in June over the presence of a banned substance, the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) organisation confirmed on Wednesday.

Fury's ban, which was not made public at the time, has been lifted pending a hearing of the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP).

The 27-year-old British fighter had said on Tuesday he would sue UKAD and the boxing authorities over reports he had used a performance-enhancing substance.

UKAD also said it suspended Hughie Fury, Tyson Fury's cousin, and that he too would have his case heard by the NADP.

"In response to public comments made by Tyson and Hughie Fury's representatives, UK Anti-Doping can confirm that both boxers were charged on 24 June 2016 with presence of a Prohibited Substance," a UK Anti-Doping spokeswoman said

"Mandatory Provisional Suspensions were imposed pursuant to Article 7.9.1 of the UK Anti-Doping Rules.

"The UK Anti-Doping Rules allow athletes to challenge the imposition of a Provisional Suspension and the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) today lifted the athletes' suspensions, pending full determination of the charges.

"These charges will be heard at a hearing before the NADP in due course."

The Sunday Mirror reported in June that traces of the banned substance nandrolone were found in a urine sample taken from Tyson Fury in February 2015.

Fury refuted the claim and his legal team say the result of tests from March and May 2015 were contradictory.

Speaking earlier this week, Fury's legal team said proceedings had been issued in the High Court over the allegations.

"The two boxers strenuously deny taking any performance-enhancing drugs," lawyer Lewis Power said.

"However, during the last five weeks, leaks about these charges have appeared in the press and both boxers have been the targets of continual abusive language on Twitter."

Since beating Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBA and WBO heavyweight titles in November, Fury has found himself embroiled in a series of controversies over his often outrageous comments.

He has been accused of homophobic, anti-semitic and sexist remarks, including an unpleasant jibe about Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill in the build-up to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards last year.

Fury, who also holds the IBF and IBO belts, is due to make the first defence of his heavyweight titles in an October rematch against Klitschko.

An interim judgement on his suspension is expected before then.

The bout was due to take place in Manchester on July 9 but Fury pulled out after failing to recover from an ankle injury.

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
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1816 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1775 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1083 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 460 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 253 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