The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has said that the UCI and WADA are able to combine their appeals in relation to Alberto Contador’s clearing by the Spanish cycling federation RFEC. On Tuesday WADA confirmed that it would also take action over the RFEC’s decision not to apply sanctions to the Spanish rider, who tested positive for Clenbuterol during last year’s Tour de France.
WADA told VeloNation then that its appeal was separate to that already lodged by the UCI. It had previously taken a joint action with the UCI in relation to Alejandro Valverde’s links to Operación Puerto, but may nevertheless opt to pursue its own case on this occasion.
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has today officially registered the appeal of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the decision of the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) concerning the case of Alberto Contador,” CAS stated yesterday. “A copy of the appeal has been sent to Counsel for the RFEC and for Mr Contador.
“On 25 March 2011, the CAS registered the appeal filed by the International Cycling Union (UCI) against the same decision. Pursuant to the CAS rules, it is possible to consolidate the two cases, if all parties agree.”
WADA declined to comment further yesterday.
CAS stated that each of the parties in the action had now the opportunity to file written submissions, including all their arguments and evidence.
It added that CAS has informed the UCI, WADA and Contador’s legal team that it is ready to establish a procedural calendar ‘allowing for the settlement of the dispute before the end of June 2011.’
There had been concerns that the case could run on past the start of the Tour de France on July 2nd, but providing the parties work together, CAS believes it is possible to have a decision before then.
Tour de France organisers ASO are keen to have a decision prior to the Grand Départ in the Vendée region.