Related case:
CAS 2019_A_6245 César Macnaught Ramírez Rodríguez vs ITF
January 23, 2020
In June 2018 the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Mexican tennis player César Macnaught Ramírez Rodríguez after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substances 19-norandrosterone (Nandrolone), Boldenone, Drostanolone and Stanozolol.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the ITF Independent Tribunal.
The Athlete gave a promt admission, accepted the test results and denied the intentional use of these substances. He explained that in the period before the competition in question he underwent surgery for his arm and had used the supplement Maxi Plus Suplexx recommended by the personal trainer Mr. Liro in order to help him to burn fat, have more energy and regenerate tissue. Also injections were administered by Mr. Liro which the Athlete understood were vitamins and Vampiro analgesics.
The Athlete asserted that Mr. Liro had confessed that he had substituted the ‘Vampiro’ injections for Deca Durabolin. Also Mr. Liro substituted the pills in the Athletes Maxi Plus Suplexx bottle for Stanozolol pills. Mr. Liro testified that he substituted the supplements and ‘vampiro’ injections with steroids in order to persude the Athlete to take him on as a personal trainer, and bolster his CV.
The Tribunal Panel is troubled about the inconsistencies in the evidence and statements and does not accept that it is more probable than not that Mr. Lira substituted four different steroids for Maxi Plus Suplexx and Vampire injections without the Athlete’s knowledge. Accordingly the Panel deems that the Athlete failed to establish that the violation was not intentional since he engaged in conduct which he knew constituted an anti-doping rule violation, or knew there was a significant risk that the conduct might constitute or result in an anti-doping rule violationand manifestly disregarded that risk.
Therefore the ITF Independent Tribunal decides on 18 March 2019 to impose a 4 year period on the Athlete starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. 12 April 2018.
