On 11 March 2015 la Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) - the French Rugby Federation - decided to impose a 4 year period of inegligibility on the Respondent M52 after his sample tested positive for prohibited substances 19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanolone (metabolites of nandrolone).
Considering the respondent’s objections and arguments against the imposed sanction the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) decided in May 2015 to open disciplinary proceedings against Respondent M52.
In his defence the Respondent M52 filed several objections against the applied Rules; requested for a reduced sanction; and disputed the validity of the sample collection procedure. He admitted the use of the prohibited substance nandrolone, not to improve sport performance but instead used as treatment for his back pain he suffered for several years.
The AFLD accepts the respondent’s argument that the 2015 WADA Code wasn’t transponded in the National law and therefore the FFR could only apply the Rules according to the 2009 WADA Code.
The AFLD however dismissed the Respondents arguments about the validity of the sample collection procedure and concludes that with strict liabilty he intentionally used the prohibited substance without a medical justification.
Considering the circumstances the AFLD decides on 22 October 2015 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Respondent M52, instead of the previous 4 years, starting on the date of the provisional suspension.
