In September 2012 the National Anti-Doping Commission of Malta has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Jessica Ghigo after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance bendroflumethiazide.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in her defence and was heard for the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of Malta.
The Athlete admitted she used bendroflumethiazide tablets to control a medical condition she was suffering from since 2009, and did not mention the diuretic medicine on the doping control form. In support the Athlete produced reports from medical consultants.

The Panel concludes that the Athlete had no intention to enhance her sport performance, but she failed to mention the medication on the doping control form and did not apply for a TUE.
Therefore the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of Malta decides to impose a 6 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of this decision, i.e. 19 March 2013.

Facts
The French Handball Federation (Fédération Française de Handball, FFHB) charges respondent M52 for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. During a match on October 9, 2011, a sample was taken for doping test purposes. The analysis of the sample showed the presence of a metabolite of cannabis above the threshold value. Cannabis is a prohibited substance according the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. Cannabis is regarded as a specified substance.

History
The respondent didn't provide any information about how the prohibited substance had entered the body.

Decision
1. The sanction is a period of ineligibility of 6 months in which respondent can't take part in competition or manifestation organized by the FFHB.
2. The period of ineligibility will be reduced by the period of voluntary suspension already fulfilled.
3. The decision (5 months period of ineligibility) dated January 9, 2012, of the disciplinary committee of the FFHB will be modified.
4. The decision starts on the date of notification.
5. The decision will be published and sent to the parties involved.

Facts
The French Basketball Federation (Fédération Française de Basket-Ball, FFBB) charges respondent M51 for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. During a match on October 8, 2011, a sample was taken for doping test purposes. The analysis of the sample showed the presence of a metabolite of cannabis above the threshold value. Cannabis is a prohibited substance according the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list and is regarded as a specified substance.

History
The respondent didn't provide any explanation about how the prohibited substance had entered his body.

Decision
1. The decision (10 weeks period of ineligibility) dated January 25, 2011, of the disciplinary committee of the FFBB is cancelled because of incompetence.
2. The sanction is a period of ineligibility of six months in which respondent can't take part in competition or manifestations organized by the FFBB.
3. The period of ineligibility will be reduced by the period already served in voluntary suspension.
4. The decision starts on the date of notification.
5. The decision will be published and sent to the parties involved.

Facts
The French Cycling Federation (Fédération Française de Cyclisme, FFC) charges respondent M50 for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. During a match on April 3, 2011, a sample was taken for doping control purposes. The analysis of the sample showed the presence of prednisone and prednisolone which are prohibited substances according the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. Prednisone and prednisolone are regarded as specified substances.

History
The respondent confirms the use of prohibited substances, which derive from medicine used to treat rheumatism. There was a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) delivered for this by the Agence Francaise de Lutte contre le Dopage (AFLD). Taking part in matches is only for fun.

Decision
1. The respondent is acquitted.
2. The decision will be published and sent to the parties involved.

Facts
The French Handball Federation (Fédération Française de Handball, FFHB) charges respondent M49 for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. During a match on October 22, 2011, a sample was taken for doping control purposes. The analysis of the sample showed the presence of a metabolite of cannabis. Cannabis is a prohibited substance according the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list and regarded as a specified substance.

History
The respondent had used the prohibited substance in a recreational setting and had no intention to increase his sport performance.

Decision
Article ler
1. The sanction is a period of ineligibility of 6 months in which the respondent can't take part in competition or manifestations organized by the FFHB.
2. The period of ineligibility will be reduced by the period already served in voluntary suspension.
3. The decision (4 months of ineligibility) dated February 13, 2012, of the disciplinary committee of the FFHB will be modified.
4. The present decision starts on the date of notification.
5. The decision will be published and sent to the parties involved.

In September 2012 the National Anti-Doping Commission of Malta has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance cocaine. After notification the Athlete was provisional suspended and heard for the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel.

The Athlete stated that in a club he unintentionally sipped from a drink that was not his, yet the Panel deems that the Athlete failed to produce any corroborating evidence in this matter.

Further the Panel establish that the sample collection was valid although the Athlete during the proceedings made a wasted effort to withdraw his consent for providing a sample and raised the issue of ‘selfincrimination’ by providing a sample.

Therefore the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of Malta decides on 29 November 2011 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. 11 September 2012.

Related case:
NADDP 2012 National Anti-Doping Commission of Malta vs Clayton Failla
September 27, 2012

On 27 September 2012 the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of Malta decided to impose a 4 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete Clayton after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance ephedrine.
The Athlete stated that he suffered from cold and flu and used Dolvan tablets as medication as a remedy, without intention to enhance his sport performance.

Hereafter the Athlete appealed the National Anti-Doping Commission decision of 27 September 2012 with the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel of Malta.

The Appeal Panel finds that the penalty consisting of a period of ineligibility of 4 months imposed on the Athlete Clayton Failla should be reformulated so as to be more equitable and fair, in view of the particular circumstances as stated during the hearing of the case before the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, which are not being challenged by the Anti-Doping Commission.

Therefore the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel of Malta decides to set aside the decision of the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel as far as the period of ineligibility is concerned, and instead impose a 3 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. 20 July 2012.

Facts
The French Handball Federation (Fédération Française de Handball, FFHB) charges respondent M48 for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. During a handball match on October 9, 2011, a sample was taken for doping test purposes. The analysis of the sample showed the presence of a metabolite of cannabis which is a prohibited substance according the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Cannabis is regarded as a specified substance.

History
The respondent didn't provide any information about how the prohibited substance entered the body.

Decision
1. The sanction is a period of ineligibility of 6 months in which respondent can't take part in competition or manifestations organized by the FFHB.
2. The period of ineligibility will be reduced by the period already served in voluntary suspension.
3. The decision (period of ineligibility 4 months) dated January 9, 2012, of the disciplinary committee of the FFHB will be modified.
4. The decision starts on the date of notification.
5. The decision will be published and sent to the parties involved.

Facts
The French Handball Federation (Fédération Française de Handball, FFHB) charges respondent M47 for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. During a handball match on October 9, 2011, a sample was taken for doping test purposes. The analysis of the sample showed the presence of a metabolite of cannabis which is a prohibited substance according the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Cannabis is regarded as a specified substance.

History
The respondent didn't provide any information about how the prohibited substance entered the body.

Decision
1. The sanction is a period of ineligibility of 6 months in which respondent can't take part in competition or manifestations organized by the FFHB.
2. The period of ineligibility will be reduced by the period already served in voluntary suspension.
3. The decision (period of ineligibility 4 months) dated January 9, 2012, of the disciplinary committee of the FFHB will be modified.
4. The decision starts on the date of notification.
5. The decision will be published and sent to the parties involved.

Facts
The French Athletics Federation (Fédération Française d'Athlétisme, FFA) charges respondent M46 for a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules.
On an athletics event on March 26, 2011, a sample was taken for doping test purposes. The analysis of the sample showed the presence of bambuterol and it's metabolite terbutaline which are prohibited substances according the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. Bambuterol and terbutaline are regarded as specified substances.

History
The respondent had used medication for therapeutic purposes to treat an asthmatic condition for which he says suffering for several years, he has a certificate from his doctor, and the results of medical examinations that he went through. This situation is regarded as exceptional circumstances.

Decision
1. The respondent is acquitted.
2. The decision dated September 29, 2011, of the disciplinary committee of the FFA is cancelled.
3. The results of the respondent are restored. Medals, points and prize money are returned to him.
4. The decision will be published and sent to the parties involved.