Related case:
UKAD 2015 RFU vs Dan Lancaster
September 8, 2015
On 8 September 2015 the Rugby Football Union Anti-Doping Panel decided to impose a 42 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete Dan Lancaster after a consignment was seized by the UK Border Force addressed to the Athlete containing ampules of anabolic steroids and he had promptly admitted to having ordered and used prohibited substances.
Hereafter UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) appealed the decision of 8 September 2015 with the Rugby Football Union Appeal Panel. UKAD requested the RFU Appeal Panel, sustained by WADA and World Rugby, to impose a 4 year ban because no reduction was appropriate considering the Athlete’s very high fault. UKAD argued that WADA had te be asked for their approval for the application of the Regulation at all, and the proposed reduction of the ban in this case.
The Appeal Panel agrees that the RFU Anti-Doping Panel had no power to reduce the period below the minimum, in the absence of the approval of WADA.
Therefore on 9 February 2016 the RFU Appeal Panel decides to annul the decision of 8 September 2015 and to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 5 June 2015.
