In April 2007 the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC), the Italian Football Federation, has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Giuoco Galcio after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance cocaine.
After notification the Athlete was provisional suspended and heard by the CONI Anti-Doping Prosecution Office. The Athlete denied the use of cocaine and stated that the positive test was the result of a lidocaine crème used as a local anaesthetic in a tattoo shop. The Athlete argued that the substance lidocaine does not enhance sport performance.
On 6 July 2007 The FICG National Disciplinary Commission decided to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete. The Athlete appealed the decision with the FIGC Federal Court of Justice, which decided on 30 July 2007 to reduce the sanction to 1 year.
Hereafter WADA appealed the decision of the FIGC Federal Court of Justice with the CONI Anti-Doping Supreme Court. WADA requested to set aside the decision of the FIGC Federal Court of Justice and argued there were no grounds to impose a less severe sanction on the Athlete.
The Court considered the Athlete’s incomplete statements and concludes that the Athlete failed to cooperate substantially in this case. Therefore the CONI Anti-Doping Supreme Court decides to set aside the FIGC Federal Court Decision and to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete.
