In January 2019 the Malta Football Association (MFA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Gianluca Calabretta after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cocaine. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete was heard for the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board.

The Athlete admitted the violation and explained that he had used the substance out-of-competition in a social event before the match in question.

The Board finds that the test result showed the presence of the prohibited substance and accordingly that the Athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation. The Board considers that the violation was not intentional without grounds for No Significant Fault or Negligence.

Therefore the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board decides on 29 April 2019 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 14 January 2019.

In December 2018 the Malta Football Association (MFA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Shamison Zammit after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete was heard for the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board

The Athlete admitted the violation, denied the intentional use of the substance, accepted the test result and a provisional suspension.

The Board finds that the test result showed the presence of the prohibited substance and accordingly that the Athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation. The Board accepts that the violation was not intentional and that there are grounds for No Significant Fault or Negligence.

Therefore the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board decides on 11 February 2019 to impose a 1 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 4 December 2018.

In January 2019 the Malta Football Association (MFA) has reported and anti-doping rule violation against the football player Danny Kabeya after his sample - collected in December 2018 - tested positive for the prohibited substance Cocaine. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in his defence.

The MFA Control and Disciplinary Board finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation.

The Disciplinary Board establishes that the Athlete had accepted the test result and denied the intentional use of the substance. The Athlete could not explain how and when the substance had entered his system, nor that the use was probably recreational and out-of-competition.

Therefore the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board decides on 24 April 2019 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 14 January 2019.

In January 2022 the Malta Football Association (MFA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Ezekjel Farrugia after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis.

After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete had prior admitted the violation and did not attend the hearing of the MFA Control, Disciplinary and Etihics Committee.

The Committee finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation.

The Committee accepts the violation was not intentional although the Athlete failed to attend the hearing in order to demonstrated that the Cannabis was used out-of-competition as a substance of abuse for the application of a reduced sanction.

Therefore the MFA Control, Disciplinary and Etihics Committee decides on 27 June 2022 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 26 January 2022.

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.

Related case:
NADDP 2015 National Anti-Doping Commission of Malta vs Eman Xuereb
September 29, 2015

On 29 April 2015 the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of Malta decided to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete Eman Xuereb after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance cocaine.

Hereafter in May 2015 the Athlete appealed the decision of 29 April 2015 with the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel of Malta.
The Athlete requested the Appeal Panel for a reduced sanction and argued that he didn’t know that the cannabis cigarette he smoked at a party with friends also contained traces of cocaine; the use was out of completion; without intention to enhance performance; and days behore he provided a sample.

The Appeal Panel finds that the Athlete failed to prove how the prohibited substance entered his body and notes that the alleged use of cannabis wasn’t found in the Athlete’s sample.
Therefore on 20 September 2015 the Appeal Panel decides to dismiss the Athlete’s appeal and to uphold the decision of 29 April 2015 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete.

Related case:
NADDP 2015 National Anti-Doping Commission of Malta vs Steve Camilleri
April 29, 2015

On 29 April 2015 the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of Malta decided to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete Steve Camilleri for evading the sample collection.

Hereafter in May 2015 the Athlete appealed the decision of 29 April 2015 with the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel of Malta and filed several arguments in his defence against the previous decision.

In review of the evidence the Appeal Panel finds that under the Rules the Athlete was duly notified by the Doping Control Officers to provide a sample for drug testing and even if the Athlete is not in a testing pool or in ADAMS the Athlete has to comply after notification to provide a sample.

The Panel concludes that there were no serious departures from the International Standard for Testing. The Panel also rejects the Athlete’s argument for lex mitior to reduce the imposed sanction because the disciplinary proceedings against the Athlete were opened with the new Anti-Doping Regulations already in force since 9 January 2015.

Considering the Athlete’s negligence, with no intention to cheat and without tested positive before the Anti-Doping Appeal Panel decides to reduce the sanction and to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension i.e. on 2 March 2015.

Related cases:

• NADDP 2016 National Anti-Doping Commission of Malta vs Charlton Abela
  March 24, 2016
• NADDP 2020 ADC vs Charlton Abela
  January 25, 2021

On 24 March 2016 the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of Malta decided to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete Charlton Abela after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance cocaine.

Hereafter the Athlete appealed the NADDP decision of 24 March 2016 with the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel of Malta. The Athlete disputed the Appealed Decision on several grounds and requested for a reduced sanction.

Considering the test results the Appeal Panel has no doubt that the Athlete committed an anti-doping violation. The Panel finds that the Athlete failed to explain the presence of the substance in his system nor did he produce evidence that the substance was ingested unintentionally.

Therefore the National Anti-Doping Appeal Commission of Malta decided on 31 August 2016 to dismiss the Athlete's appeal and to uphold the imposed 4 year period of ineligibility, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 6 November 2015.