TAS 2006/A/1035 Abel Xavier c/ UEFA
CAS 2006/A/1035 Abel Xavier vs UEFA
In October 2005 the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Abel Xavier after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Metandienone.
Consequently the UEFA Disciplinary Authority decided on 25 November 2005 to impose a 18 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete which thereupon was upheld by the UEFA Appeal Commission on 21 December 2005.
Hereafter the Athlete appealed the UEFA decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Athlete requested the Panel to set aside the Appealed Decision and for a reduced sanction.
Based on the UEFA rules the CAS Panel finds that a 12 month period of ineligibility appropriate for a first anti-doping rule violation. The older age of the Athlete can’t be considered an aggravating circumstance to impose a longer period of ineligibility on the Athlete.
Therefore the Court of Arbitration for Sport Panel decides on 31 August 2006 to partially reform the UEFA decision of 21 December 2005 and to impose a 12 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on 14 October 2005.
