In October 2018 the Argentinian Anti-Doping Commission reported an anti-doping rule violation against the rugby player after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Stanozolol. After notification the Athlete failed to file a statement in his defence.
Accordingly the National Disciplinary Anti-Doping Tribunal (TNDA) decided in February 2018 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete. Hereafter the Athlete appealed the TNDA Decision with the Appeal Tribunal.
The Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and argued that he is only an amateur rugby player acting due to ignorance. He explained with evidence that in August 2018 his written defence was submitted to the previous address of the TNDA. After it was rejected due to unknown address he tried to deliver this letter personally at the that address in August 2018 and finally succeeded in March 2018 at the TNDA office.
The TNDA Panel finds that the appeal is admissible and acknowledged that the Athlete’s failure to timely file a statement is his defence was not attributed to the Athlete.
Nevertheless the Panel deems that the Athlete failed to establish that the violation was not intentional nor grounds for a reduced santion.
Therefore the TNDA decides on 4 October 2019 to uphold the Appealed Decision for the imposition of a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension.
