Facts
The Football Association ("FA") charged Lewis Gibbon (the "player") for an omission of the Anti Doping Rules ("ADR"). On September 22, 2012, he provided a sample of urine which contained benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine) and 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carbosylic acid (cannabis). Cannabinoids are classified as Specified Substances; cocaine is a Non-Specified stimulant. The player waved his rights for a B sample analysis and admitted the use of the substances.
History
The player had tried “a small joint and a little bit of cocaine” at a party during the early evening of September 21, the day before the match in question.
Considerations panel
We consider the appropriate way to deal with this case is to treat it as a single anti-doping violation committed by the presence of multiple substances in his sample.
There is a situation of aggravating circumstances but because of the prompt admission an increase in the suspension of two years was not justified.
Decision
1. Lewis Gibbons committed anti-doping rule violations, namely the presence in his urine sample taken on September 22, 2012 of benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine) and 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carbosylic acid.
2. The appropriate penalty is a period of suspension from all football and football activities for a period of two years.
3. The suspension is effective (i.e. commences) from the date the FA provisionally suspended the player, namely 18 October 2012.
4. He will be subject to target testing for a period of two years from October 18, 2014.
5. The hearing fee is to be retained by the FA.
6. There is no order for costs of the hearing.
