Date decided for Wales appeal
Thursday, February 12, 2004
Article summary
Wales's appeal against UEFA's rejection of its UEFA EURO 2004™ play-off complaint will be dealt with on 19 March.
Article body
Positive doping test
The FAW submitted a protest concerning the regularity of the match on 19 November last year in Cardiff - won 1-0 by Russia - on the grounds that midfield player Yegor Titov was ineligible to play due to his positive doping test after the goalless first leg. Russia qualified for this summer's EURO 2004™ final round in Portugal as a result of their 1-0 play-off victory.
Complaint rejected
However, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body rejected the complaint on Tuesday 3 February. In reviewing the case, the UEFA disciplinary body referred to the FAW's failure to provide evidence that the player was under the influence of a prohibited substance in the second leg.
Player liable
UEFA also said that, according to UEFA regulations in the case of a doping offence, the punishment only applies to the player himself and not the team. UEFA said that was further backed up by the World Anti-Doping Code which states that in the event of one member testing positive for a prohibitive substance in team sports it is the individual and not the team which is liable.
