The FEI Tribunal has issued its decisions in the cases of the two Saudi Arabian athletes, Khaled Abdulaziz Al Eid and Abdullah Waleed Sharbatly, whose horses tested positive for Controlled Medication substances. The Tribunal has imposed suspensions of eight months on both riders in addition to fines and costs. This means two top jumpers will not be eligible to compete in the up-coming Olympics.
Ineligible for Olympic horse competitions
FEI imposes suspensions and fines for use of controlled substances by two Saudi Arabian riders.
The horses, Vanhoeve (Khaled Abdulaziz Al Eid) and Lobster 43 (Abdullah Waleed Sharbatly), tested positive for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Phenylbutazone and Oxyphenbutazone (a metabolite of Phenylbutazone) at two separate events.
Controlled Medication substances are those that are prohibited in competition, but are permitted for treatment use outside competition. The Rules provide that the suspension period for Controlled Medication substances can be anywhere between a warning and two years.
While it acknowledged the importance of the Olympic Games, which had been stressed by both the PR and Counsel for the PR during the hearing, the Tribunal stated that considering the upcoming Games while determining the length of suspension would not provide a level playing field in a sports calendar that offers major events almost every year, and that rules have to be applied consistently throughout the four-year Olympic cycle.