Lazaridis handed one-year suspension

Football Federation Australia today confirmed that a decision had been handed down by FFA’s Anti-Doping Tribunal in the matter of the Stan Lazaridis Anti-Doping hearing. The Tribunal held that an Anti-Doping violation had occurred and ordered the player ineligible to play for 12 months, backdated to the date of his positive test on 27 November 200

Football Federation Australia today confirmed that a decision had been handed down by FFA-s Anti-Doping Tribunal in the matter of the Stan Lazaridis Anti-Doping hearing. The Tribunal held that an Anti-Doping violation had occurred and ordered the player ineligible to play for 12 months, backdated to the date of his positive test on 27 November 2006.

The decision was handed down on 6 August 2007 but in accordance with the FFA Anti-Doping By-law could not be made public until the period for lodgement of any appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had expired. That period had now passed with no appeal being lodged by any of the parties with appeal rights (including the player, FIFA, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the World Anti-Doping Authority).

FFA also confirmed that the Professional Footballers- Association is pursuing another legal avenue on behalf of Mr Lazaridis. This involves an application for a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). In fact the FFA-s Tribunal had, at the request of the PFA, stood over earlier delivery of its judgment pending the decision of Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) on this retroactive TUE application. ASDMAC had denied the application and the PFA is appealing this decision. Mr Lazaridis- suspension stands while this process continues.

FFA Chief Executive Officer, Ben Buckley, noted that there were particular circumstances in Mr Lazaridis- case and encouraged interested parties to read a copy of the judgment to gain a full appreciation of the case. Buckley commented that the case illustrated the critical importance of athletes complying strictly with the regulations and procedures governing anti-doping.

“The Tribunal made certain express findings regarding Stan-s good character which FFA welcomes. In particular it found that Stan had not taken the prohibited substance to mask a performance enhancing drug but for legitimate therapeutic purposes as prescribed by his doctor. The problem related to the processes which is why it is so important for all athletes to be vigilant” said Mr Buckley.

FFA acknowledged that the process had been a lengthy one but this reflects not only the complexity of the issues raised but certain requests of Mr Lazaridis- legal representatives throughout the process to enable them to explore various legal options on his behalf. In any event, the commencement of the suspension has been back-dated. “Whatever happens with the appeal relating to the retroactive TUE, we are looking forward to Stan resuming his playing duties for Perth Glory in due course,” concluded Buckley. “He has an illustrious playing record and we look forward to him continuing to make a strong contribution to the Hyundai A-League.”

A full copy of the judgment is available at http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/media/final_judgment_with_addendum.pdf