In October 2019 the National Doping Control Commission of Chile (CNCD) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Matias Sepulveda Méndez for tampering with any part of doping control.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and he was heard for the Disciplinary Panel of the Tribunal de Expertos en Dopaje (TED).
The Doping Control Officer (DCO) reported that on 1 September 2019 after notification the player did not report to the Doping Control Station straight from the pitch as soon as the match was over. Instead he went into a dressing room and stayed there, without supervision of the DCO, for 5 to 10 minutes behind a closed door. Hereafter the Athlete complied and he was submitted to sample collection.
The Athlete denied the violation, requested for a reduced sanction and asserted that over the years he was tested before without issues. He testified with evidence that after the notification he went to the dressing room to get his identity card. Yet, the team coach entered, closed the door of the dressing room and gave technical instructions to his team regarding the match. Thereupon he immediately went to the Doping Control Station.
Based on the evidence in this case the Panel established that the Athlete indeed failed to report immediately to the Doping Control Station. However because of the circumstances the Panel concludes that he acted without significant fault or negligence.
Therefore the TED Disciplinary Panel decides on 5 May 2020 to impose a warning on the Athlete.
