In June 2015 the United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Adam Buttifant after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance dehydrochlormethyltestosterone.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement with evidence in his defence and was heard for the National Anti-Doping Panel Arbitral Tribunal.
The Athlete gave a prompt admission for using the product M-Sten purchased on the internet as treatment for a chronic inflammation of the heel. Because of the side effects of the product the Athlete had stopped taking the product M-Sten 40 days before he provided a sample for drug testing. The Athlete stated, sustained by witnesses, that his diagnosed disabilities dyslexia and dyspraxia made it difficult for him to read.
After he was tested he received help from his mother to research the ingredients of M-Sten. The research on the internet showed that the Athlete had used a product containing a derivative of methylstenbolone although his sample tested positive for dehydrochlormethyltestosterone. Because his mother disposed the remaining capsules and the packaging of the product this action had the consequence of preventing testing of the product.
Significant evidential points for the Tribunal were a number of articles showing that mislabeling of products sold on the internet containing anabolic steroids was rife and that the manufacturer or supplier in China of M-Sten had provided mislabeled products before. Considering these points with other evidence the Tribunal finds that the ingestion of dehydrochlormethyltestosterone was caused by the product M-Sten and concludes that the Athlete’s conduct was not intentional.
Therefore the National Anti-Doping Panel Arbitral Tribunal decides on 14 december 2014 to impose a 2 year period of inegligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 21 June 2015.
