Andre Russell’s Lawyer Likely To Appeal Against Doping Ban Imposed On His ‘Clean’ Client
Dec 23, 2018 at 10:58 AM
Disappointed to see his client getting a one year ban from cricket, Patrick Foster, Andre Russell’s lawyer, has said the legal team can appeal against the independent anti-doping tribunal’s verdict.
The West Indies all-rounder, on Tuesday (January 31), received a one-year ban from cricket for violating the whereabouts clause after failing to file his whereabouts on three occasions in 2015. However, Foster believes his client is innocent and expressed his disagreement on the panel’s verdict.
“Mr Russell and his legal team are carefully reading and reviewing the ruling as regards the next steps and the possibility of an early appeal of the decision of the Panel’s ruling,” Foster said.
“While we respect the ruling, we respectfully disagree with it and are very disappointed that the Panel saw it fit to impose a one-year ineligibility period,” he added.
Foster further said the West Indies all-rounder had never violated any doping rules in his career.
“Throughout his career as an international and domestic T20 cricketer, Mr. Russell has been tested on many occasions by various anti-doping agencies/bodies in several countries pursuant to WADA guidelines and he has never registered an adverse analytical finding,” Foster said.
“Mr. Russell is a clean athlete who seeks to uphold the integrity of Cricket. He respects and makes every effort to be compliant with the rules of sport generally, cricket and to comply with anti-doping rules and procedures. Our client will continue to cooperate fully with JADCO and WADA,” he added.
Meanwhile, the West Indies star, who is a vital part of IPL outfit Kolkata Knight Riders, is currently out of action due to a hamstring injury. His ban, which is effective from January 31, 2017, will end on January 30, 2018.