IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has confirmed that a player has failed a random dope test.
Thorough procedure must be followed, insists Modi
Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi has confirmed that a player failed a random dope test during the first edition of the tournament earlier this year.
The International Cricket Council said in a statement released yesterday that it had been informed of an adverse analytical finding by the World Anti-Doping Agency's accredited laboratory which had conducted the tests.
Modi confirmed that the IPL had been informed by the laboratory but said there was a procedure to follow before actually concluding that a player was guilty of using banned substances.
"First of all the identity of the player with the sample has to be matched," said Modi.
"Then the form, which the player filled before the tournament will be scrutinised for any pre-declared or prescribed drug use. If that matches the drug found in the sample, the matter ends there.
Tribunal
"If it does not, the player is informed and a 'B' sample would then be tested. If that sample also tests positive, the matter will be taken up by the IPL drugs tribunal."
He said the tribunal would consist of a doctor, a former cricketer and a lawyer. He said players can appeal the verdict of the tribunal in a separate appeals tribunal.
"This is just the procedure," Modi added. "As of now we are at the first stage where one sample has tested positive."
He refused to name the player, saying the identity would be revealed only if tests on the 'B' sample is required.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board says its players will not be given permission to play in the next IPL season if it clashes with the re-scheduled series against Australia.
Australia postponed their tour of Pakistan earlier this year amid security concerns, but the series could go ahead next year.
"We don't see any confrontation with the players over the clash of dates of the IPL with the Australian tour. IPL is a domestic tournament," said PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi.
"International commitments take precedence over the domestic tournaments and IPL is no exception.
"We will work strictly under a principle which has been decided at the International Cricket Council level.
"Obviously the home series against Australia is very important for us and nothing will take precedence over it."
