KKR dealt massive blow prior to the IPL auction on the 4th of February due to Russell's ban
WEST INDIES ALL-ROUNDER Andre Russell has been banned for one-year for a doping whereabouts rule violation. The swashbuckler is revealed to have committed the violation 11 months ago after registering three filing failures in 2015.
It is learnt that the two-time T20 World Cup winner, who is undergoing a hamstring recovery, was hopeful of escaping a ban but the tribunal found him guilty of violating the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) guidelines, where a player missing three tests within a period of 12 months amounts to a failed dope test.
However, the Jamaican cricketer’s lawyer has hinted that he will be appealing against the ban. Russell’s lawyer, Patrick Foster told Reuters,
"Relieved it's one year, but not two years. But I genuinely thought given the circumstances and the evidence that was before the panel that he would have been exonerated."
He further added,
"Mr Russell and his legal team are carefully reading and reviewing the ruling as regards the next steps and the possibility of an early appeal of the decision of the Panel's ruling. While we respect the ruling, we respectfully disagree with it and are very disappointed that the Panel saw it fit to impose a one-year ineligibility period.”
Foster termed Russell as a clean athlete and said that he will fully cooperate with WADA.
"Throughout his career as an international and domestic T20 cricketer, Mr. Russell has been tested on many occasions by various anti-doping agencies/bodies in several countries pursuant to WADA guidelines and he has never registered an adverse analytical finding. Mr Russell is a 'clean athlete' who seeks to uphold the integrity of cricket. He respects and makes every effort to be compliant with the rules of sport generally, cricket and to comply with anti-doping rules and procedures. Our client will continue to cooperate fully with the Jadco and Wada."
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