In August 2020 the English Football Association (FA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Nathaniel Mendez-Laing after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cocaine. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete was heard.
The Athlete admitted the violation, denied the intentional use and explained the use of Cocaine occurred out-of-competition the evening before the sample collection.
The FA Regulatory Commission accepts that the violation was not intentional and occurrred out-of-competition in circumstances unrelated to sport performance. Further the Commission considers the principle of lex mitior for imposing a significant more lenient sanction under the WADA 2021 Code.
Therefore the FA Regulatory Commission decides to impose a 3 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. 14 August 2020. Since the Athlete already has served the provisional suspension the period of ineligibility shall cease immediately.
