Simona Halep Suspended for a Positive Doping Test
Simona Halep has been suspended from Wimbledon tennis for a doping positive test after testing positive for nandrolone.
The Spanish tennis star was found to have a level three level one substance in her urine sample, which she had taken before the start of the tournament, before making her way back onto the court.
It means that she has been suspended for one month for breaching the Tennis Anti-Doping Agency’s code of conduct, which carries a fine of between €50,000 and €100,000 with no provision for early release.
In a statement on their website, WADA said there was “no evidence” of deliberate wrongdoing by Halep and that she “is innocent”.
WADA said that they had taken the final decision on the matter, adding: “This was a complex process and WADA has consulted a number of experts. WADA is not commenting further at this stage as our processes are designed to protect the reputation of professional athletes.”
Simona Halep to take doping test back to WADA centre in France after positive test
Halep and her former coach and business partner Carlos Moya tested positive for testosterone weeks ago, after she came back from maternity leave.
However, the Spanish tennis star has apologised and said she has no idea what she was doing because she was not given drugs by Moya.
The Spanish star has been suspended from the tournament for a month, as well as serving a three-month ban under the Tennis Anti-Doping Agency’s (TADA) code of conduct.
“I have been advised by the WADA team that my case is not in their hands, to avoid any potential delay in processing my case,” Halep said in a statement on her website.