Provisional Suspensions of Eight Horses Lifted
Morgan Sports Law secures the lifting of Provisional Suspensions imposed on eight horses, in a landmark decision by the FEI Tribunal.
Summary
Morgan Sports Law has secured the lifting of Provisional Suspensions imposed on eight horses that had tested positive for the Specified Substance Synephrine. Since 2012, the FEI has implemented a ‘one-size fits all’ policy to Provisional Suspensions of horses: imposing automatic two-month suspensions on all horses that test positive for any Prohibited Substance, regardless of circumstance. Morgan Sports Law has successfully challenged this policy with regards to eight horses that were subject to doping control at various events during April and May 2019. All eight horses tested positive for the Specified Substance Synephrine. The source of the Synephrine was Teff Grass, which, unbeknownst to the Persons Responsible, was contaminated (see https://inside.fei.org/system/files/FEI%20Warning%20regarding%20synephrine.pdf). This is the first time, since the introduction of the FEI's two-month horse suspension policy, that the FEI Tribunal has lifted a horse suspension.
Morgan Sports Law demonstrated to the Tribunal that Synephrine has a very short half-life and would have cleared the horses’ systems within 40 hours from the time of consumption (thus presenting no welfare or competition risk). Oral and written submissions were made supporting the positions of the relevant Persons Responsible.
The Provisional Suspensions will be lifted as of 20 June 2019.
Emma Waters acted for the Persons Responsible on this matter.
Anti-Doping
Investigations
MARIO DESLAURIERS CLEARED OF DOPING CHARGES
Morgan Sports Law acts for Mario Deslauriers in his successful defence against anti-doping charges.
WAAD NADIM BOU MOGHLBAY AND DAIANA CHOPITA FREE TO RESUME CAREERS
Morgan Sports Law successfully acts for equestrian endurance riders Daiana Chopita, competing for Argentina and Waad Nadim Bou Moghlbay, competing for the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) in anti-doping proceedings brought by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (“FEI”) before the FEI Tribunal.
PAIGE JOHNSON FREE TO RESUME HER CAREER WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
Morgan Sports Law acts for equestrian rider, Ms Paige Johnson, in her successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (“CAS”) against a one-year ban imposed on her by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (“FEI”).