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| [photo by Alfonso Jimenez] |
Manchester City defender Kolo Toure was handed a six month suspension.
The player is also to be target tested for a period of two years from 26 May 2011.
The FA enclose preliminary written reasons from the Commission Chairman:
1. The Player Kolo Toure admitted a doping offence contrary to Regulation 3 of the FA Doping
Regulations 2010-2011. It is his first offence.
2. Applying Regulation 67 the Player satisfied the Commission (to the requisite standard)
a. (i) The doping offence involved a specified substance. It did.
b. (ii) how the specified substance entered his system, namely through his taking of water tablets
obtained through his wife.
c. (iii) that he did not intend to enhance sporting performance or to mask the use of a performance
enhancing substance.
3. Accordingly, the criterion in assessing any reduction in what would otherwise be the minimum
penalty of two years’ suspension is the player’s degree of fault. The Player accepted he was at fault
and with that concession we agree. He was at fault in the limited and perfunctory efforts he made in
relation to the water tablets; the checks he made in relation to those tablets were inadequate and fell
some way below what it would be reasonable to expect of a professional footballer in these
circumstances.
4. In fixing the appropriate period of suspension we had regard to all the relevant matters we have read
and heard during the course of the hearing. The period of suspension suggested by Mr Lewis QC was
one not in excess of three months. With respect, we disagree. In our judgment, the appropriate period
of suspension is one of 6 months commencing on 2 March 2011.
5. His status during his suspension is as provided by Regulation 32: he cannot participate in any football
match or any other football related activity other than anti-doping education or rehabilitation
programmes.
6. With effect from the date of the hearing (26 May 2011) and for a period of two years thereafter, he
will be subject to target testing as provided for by Schedule 1 paragraph 10 of the Doping
Regulations and the Disciplinary Procedures Regulation 8.1.
