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India reject drug-testing rules
2 August 2009, 10:08 am



India reject drug-testing rules



India are set for a clash with the World Anti-Doping Agency after rejecting a clause in the new global anti-doping rules.India's players disagree with the "whereabouts system", where athletes say where they are for at least one hour a day over a period of time.

Their stance has been backed by the Indian cricket board.

"The clause with regards to whereabouts is unreasonable," said BCCI president Shashank Manohar.

"We don't have a problem with dope testing (but) we have a problem with the system of testing.

"And the system has to be reasonable and acceptable to the person who is being tested."

The International Cricket Council became a Wada signatory in 2006 and its board last year unanimously approved out-of-competition tests on cricketers.

Players from all other major cricket nations have signed up and an ICC lawyer met Indian cricket officials before the meeting to persuade their players to comply.

However, Indian players missed the 1 August deadline to register, a stance that could prevent future participation in ICC events such as the Champions Trophy which takes place later this year.

ICC spokesman Brian Murgatroyd said: "The ICC and the BCCI are committed to a practical solution to the issue.

"The next step is for this matter to be considered further by the ICC Board to find a way forward."

The most recent guidelines, which came into force on 1 January, have proved controversial for the greater demands they make on those being tested.

Wada's 2009 code specifies that athletes must be available seven rather than five days a week and that they are present for the whole of the hour, not just part of it. The times of day between which they can specify their location have also been restricted.

Wada regulations state that three missed disclosures of whereabouts in an 18-month period could result in a two-year ban from international cricket.

Fifa, world football's governing body, has called for changes to the new rules while tennis world number two Rafael Nadal said the drug-testing procedures in his sport make players "feel like a criminal".



Source: BBC Sport | Cricket | World Edition