CAS 2014/A/3469 IAAF v. SAAF & Hussian Alhamdah
On 21 November 2013 the Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee decided to impose a 2 year and 6 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete Hussain Alhamdah on the irregularities in his ABP. Hereafter the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) appealed the Saudi decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The IAAF requested the Panel to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility due to aggravating circumstances for intentionally committing the anti-doping rule violations on multiple occasions over a number of years. Also the IAAF asserted that the Athlete deliberately mislead the IAAF and the Saudi Arabian Athletics Federation (SAAF) and had repeatedly lied befor he finally admitted the violation.
In view of all of the circumstances of the case, the Sole Arbitrator concludes that the sanction imposed by the Saudi Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee is proportionate and in line with recent relevant jurisprudence with comparable facts.
Therefore the Court of Arbitration for Sport decides on 12 January 2015 that:
1.) The appeal filed by the International Association of Athletics Federations against the decision issued by the Saudi Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee and notified on 25 November 2013 is dismissed.
2.) The decision issued by the Saudi Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee and notified on 25 November 2013 is confirmed.
3.) The costs of the arbitration, to be determined by the CAS Court Office, shall be borne by the International Association of Athletics Federations.
4.) Each party shall bear its own costs.
5. All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.
