In February 2007 the Federazione Pugilistica Italiana (FPI), the Italian Boxing Federation, has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Alessandro Balestri after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance furosemide.
After notification the Athlete was provisional suspended and heard for the FPI National Sport Judge.
Considering the Athlete was a minor and without intention to enhance sport performance the FPI Judge decided on 27 April 2007 to impose a 1 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete.
WADA appealed the decision of 27 April 2007 with the FPI Federal Appeal Court, which confirmed on 13 September 2007 the previous Decision of 27 April 2007 and dismissed WADA’s appeal.
Hereafter WADA appealed the decision of the FPI Federal Appeal Court with the Anti-Doping Supreme Court of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). WADA requested to set aside the decision of the FPI Federal Appeal Court and argued there were no grounds to impose a less severe sanction on the Athlete.
The Court concludes that the Athlete acted negligently without grounds for reduction under the rules. Therefore on 5 November 2007 the CONI Anti-Doping Supreme Court decides to set aside the decision of the FPI Federal Appeal Court and to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete.
