‘I plan to appeal to The Court of Arbitration for Sport’ – Simone Halep on facing 4-year ban
Former world number one Tennis player, Simone Halep has been accused of and found guilty for doing illegal doping, which has costed her to face a ban of four years from playing international Tennis. Halep has been accused of 2 doping violations and was already facing provisional suspensions since October 2022.
She has been tested positive for consuming a blood-boosting substance Roxadustat during the US Open 2022. In May 2023, Simone Halep also faced another anti-doping charge related to irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).
However, as soon as the ITIA release their official statement, Simone Halep officially addressed the issue and said that she would like to appeal to The Court of Arbitration for Sport to seek justice. Considering the struggles she has faced since the past year of a provisional suspension.
Simone Halep on being accused of doping and ban
“Today (Tuesday), a tribunal under the tennis anti-doping program announced a tentative decision in my case. The past year has been the most challenging match of my life, and unfortunately, my struggle continues. I have dedicated my life to the beautiful game of tennis. Take the rules governing our sport very seriously and take pride in the fact that I have never knowingly or intentionally used any prohibited substances. I refuse to accept their decision of a four-year ban. I plan to appeal to The Court of Arbitration for Sport”, said Simone Halep.
The CEO of ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency), Karen Moorhouse released a statement while addressing the issue and said, “After a complex and rigorous hearing process, we welcome the independent tribunal’s decision. The ITIA has followed the proper processes as we would with any other individual –- in accordance with the world anti-doping code –- fulfilling our purpose and responsibility to uphold the principle of fair competition, on behalf of the sport. The panel recognised that appropriate procedure had been followed within the written decision.”
