In December 2017 the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Malaysian hockey player Kumar Subramiam after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Sibutramine.
After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, accepted a provisional suspension, filed a statement in his defence, waived his right to be heard and thereupon accepted the sanction proposed by the FIH.
The Athlete submitted that at the relevant time he had used Carbo Flex, a chocolate drink slimming product that was contaminated with Sibutramine whereas this substance was not listed as ingredient on the label of this product.
Analysis of the Carbo Flex in a Malaysian Lab revealed the presence of Sibutramine and thereupon this was confirmed by the Lausanne Lab. Additional analysis of sealed packages received from an independent source in the Lausanne Lab again confirmed the presence of Sibutramine.
Based on the evidence in this case the FIH accepts that more likely than not the violation was not intentional and the result of a contaminated product. Further the FIH deems that there are ground for No Significant Fault or Negligence in this case in view of the Athlete's conduct.
Hereafter the parties in this case reached an agreement and requested the FIH Disciplinary Panel to confirm this agreement into a decision in accordance with the Rules.
Therefore the FIH Disciplinary Panel decides on 17 April 2018 to impose a 6 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 16 October 2017.
