French Courts Ears Are Closed In Boonen Case
Tom Boonen’s attempt to overturn the ban on him competing in the 2009 Tour de France next month has hit another big hurdle with the decision by a French court deciding not to hear Boonen’s case.
The former world road race champion from Belgium was banned from racing the Tour de France by the organizers, Amaury Sports Organization (ASO), following his 2nd positive test for cocaine in April, even though the test was taken outside of the sport.
The cyclist’s legal team decided their case stood a better chance in a civil court rather than before the French sports tribunal, in the limited time available before the race starts at Monaco on July 4.
But the court in Nanterre, France ruled that it did not have the jurisdiction to hear the case as the agreement between ASO and competing teams was that any disputes should go before the French Olympic Committee’s arbitration panel.
A statement from the Quick Step team said they would now take the case before this body.
Boonen, who missed last year’s Tour for similar reasons, still faces possible criminal charges in Belgium arising from the drug test on April 25 2009.
Boonen first tested positive for cocaine in May last year, although he escaped any criminal charges on the condition he would stay away from any future drugs scandal inside a three-year period.
Categories: Doping, Features, News, Tour de France
Tags:
BMC Working Well
Leave a Reply