WADA calls for ban for Jannik Sinner “between one and two years”

In a surprise turnaround, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed an independent tribunal’s decision to clear world number one Jannik Sinner of guilt after he failed two tests for a banned substance earlier this year.

Last month, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled Sinner had “no fault or negligence” for testing positive for the banned substance clostebol twice in March 2024. ITIA supported the Italian’s defense that his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi accidentally contaminated him with the steroid. Sinner has since stopped working with Naldi.

On Friday, WADA rejected the independent tribunal’s rulingon the grounds that it was “not correct under the current rules”. WADA appealed to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). issued a statement demanded that Sinner be banned from professional tennis for “between one and two years”..“

“WADA is seeking a ban of between one and two years,” the statement said. “WADA does not seek to annul any results, except those already imposed by the Arbitral Tribunal of First Instance. As this matter is now pending before CAS, WADA will have no further comment at this time.”