Sharapova appeals ITF ban to sports arbitration court

Maria Sharapova has filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

She is seeking to annul or reduce her two-year suspension for a failed drug test at the Australian Open in January. 

The parties have agreed to an expedited track for the case, which will allow CAS to issue its decision no later than July 18th, 2016.

Last week, an independent tribunal appointed by the International Tennis Federation found that Sharapova committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation, and imposed a period of ineligibility of two years. 

Under the tribunal’s decision, Sharapova would be allowed to return on January 27, 2018.

A statement from CAS regarding Sharapova’s appeal reads in part:

“Ms. Sharapova seeks the annulment of the Tribunal’s decision to sanction her with a two-year period of ineligibility further to an anti-doping rule violation. 

“Ms. Sharapova submits that the period of ineligibility should be eliminated, or in the alternative, reduced.”

CAS further confirmed the parties have not decided whether or not a hearing would be held on appeal. 

However, “at the request of the parties, this arbitration procedure will be kept confidential and the CAS will not comment any further on this matter.”

The ITF had, on June 08, 2016, released the decision of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme’s independent tribunal in the case on Maria Sharapova.

An independent tribunal has found that Sharapova has committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

It, subsequently, imposed a period of ineligibility of two years, commencing on January 26, 2016.

“It is important at all times for players to be aware of the rules and to follow them,” says WTA CEO Steve Simon. 

“In this case, Maria has taken responsibility for her mistake from the outset. 

“The WTA supports the process that the ITF and Maria have followed. 

“The ITF has made its ruling and, under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program, the decision may be appealed to the Court Arbitration for Sport. 

“The WTA will continue to follow this closely and we hope it will be resolved as soon as possible.”

SHARAPOVA’s REACTION

A statement from CAS obtained by WTA regarding Sharapova’s appeal reads in part:

Today with their decision of a two year suspension, the ITF tribunal unanimously concluded that what I did was not intentional. 

The tribunal found that I did not seek treatment from my doctor for the purpose of obtaining a performance enhancing substance. 

The ITF spent tremendous amounts of time and resources trying to prove I intentionally violated the anti-doping rules and the tribunal concluded I did not. 

You need to know that the ITF asked the tribunal to suspend me for four years – the required suspension for an intentional violation — and the tribunal rejected the ITF’s position.

While the tribunal concluded correctly that I did not intentionally violate the anti-doping rules, I cannot accept an unfairly harsh two-year suspension. 

The tribunal, whose members were selected by the ITF, agreed that I did not do anything intentionally wrong, yet they seek to keep me from playing tennis for two years. 

I will immediately appeal the suspension portion of this ruling to CAS, the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

I have missed playing tennis and I have missed my amazing fans, who are the best and most loyal fans in the world. 

I have read your letters. I have read your social media posts and your love and support has gotten me through these tough days. 

I intend to stand for what I believe is right and that’s why I will fight to be back on the tennis court as soon as possible.

Love, Maria

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