ITF Reacts to Sharapova Reproach

The International Tennis Federation responded on Thursday at criticism on its handling of women’s tennis star Maria Sharapova’s drugs ban.

In a statement, the administrator of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program rejected insinuations by Sharapova that its independent tribunal was biased. He also denied it had requested a four-year ban for the five-time grand slam winner.

The ITF also stressed that before meldonium was put on the banned list this year, it was unaware that eastern European athletes regularly used the drug.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has cleared the former world number one to return to action in April. This decision came after Sharapova’s two-year suspension was cut to 15 months on Tuesday.

The Russian said then that the ITF should be more effective at communicating with athletes as other sports federations had been.

“The ITF did not try to ban Ms. Sharapova for four years, as has been suggested,” the tennis ruling body said. It stated that it was the responsibility of the Independent Tribunal to decide what the suitable penalty should be.

Allegations that tribunal was biased

On suggestions that the Independent Tribunal was “not neutral,” the ITF said that Ms. Sharapova’s legal team was provided the option to oppose to the appointment of any member of that Tribunal before the hearing. They also said, “and they agreed in writing that they had no such objection.”

Further, the ITF deemed that it had taken proper steps to announce changes to the banned list. It was also not true to say that the ITF knew of extensive use of meldonium in Eastern Europe. Additionally, it should have afforded specific notice, it said.

The ITF added that Sharapova accepted in the hearing before CAS that the tennis ruling body was unaware before 2016 about the degree to which meldonium was used by athletes form any region. They also did not know that the Russian herself used the drug.

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Brad Pitt Voluntarily Submits To Drug Test, “Cooperating Fully” With Investigators

Brad Pitt voluntarily endured a drug test to cooperate with the Department of Children and Family Services.

Angelina Jolie filed for divorce just after their two year wedding anniversary. The couple spent 12 years together and has six kids. The basis of the divorce is about Brad Pitt’s behavior during an altercation that happened on board their private plane on September 14.

Authorities started an investigation, headed by County DCFS in LA after receiving an anonymous tip of the incident. Angelina accused the 52 year old actor of “getting physical’ and “verbally abusive”. The accusation concerns an event involving their eldest son, 15 year old Maddox and Pitt.

DCFS spokesperson told People that a drug test is “very standard” in an abuse investigation. Federal Bureau of Investigation created its own analysis and most likely will not recommend further investigation.

Brad “in the worst possible light”

A source close to Pitt told People that, “He takes the matter very seriously and says he did not commit any abuse on his children”. They said it saddens them that the allegations portray Pitt “in the worst possible light.”

Greenspoon Marder’s criminal law practice group’s chairman said, “I find it very hard to believe that they would take action with the facts that have been presented, given the fact that I don’t believe the child received any injuries”.

With all the legal battles, “Brad Pitt has been interviewed and is cooperating fully. The case remains open”, as another source supported Pitt.

Someone well informed on the details of the circumstances said beforehand that Pitt never struck Maddox. Rather, he “made contact” with the boy “in the shoulder area.” The informant declared, “There was absolutely no physical injury to him.”

The reason for the DCFS investigation stems from a requirement to check into anything reported. Stephanie I. Blum, certified family law specialist said, “A representative of DCFS will advise the individual of the complaints/allegations against him or her but will do so in such a way as to protect the identity of the reporting individual.”

DCFS’s decision on the truth of the allegations comes at the conclusion of the investigation. If the charges lack veracity, then DCFS finally closes the case.

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