In March 2019 the National Anti-Doping Commission (ADC) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the powerlifter Ayrton Agius Difesa after he tested positive for the prohibited substance Clenbuterol. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel.
The Athlete admitted the violation and denied the intentional use of the substance. He stated that he had used pills provided by a friend when he was suffering from breathing problems. He could not provide further details about these pills and acknowledged that he consulted no doctor or pharmacist.
The Panel holds that the Athlete on the Doping Control Form only mentioned medication unrelated to the prohibited substance, he failed to establish that the violation was not intentional and deems that he acted with signicant risk.
Therefore the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel decides on 10 July 2019 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. 23 March 2019.
