Wales appeal against UEFA verdict
Friday, February 6, 2004
Article summary
The FAW has appealed UEFA's rejection of its bid to have the play-off second leg declared a forfeit.
Article body
Positive doping test
The FAW submitted a protest concerning the regularity of the match on 19 November last year in Cardiff - won 1-0 by Russia - on the grounds that midfield player Yegor Titov was ineligible to play due to his positive doping test after the goalless first leg. However, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body rejected the complaint on Tuesday.
Date to be decided
Russia qualified for this summer's EURO 2004™ final round in Portugal as a result of their 1-0 play-off victory. An appeal date will be decided next week. In reviewing the case, the UEFA disciplinary body referred to the FAW's failure to provide evidence that the player was under the influence of a prohibited substance in the second leg.
Player liable
UEFA also said in its statement on Tuesday that, according to UEFA regulations in the case of a doping offence, the punishment only applies to the player himself and not to the team. UEFA said that was further backed up by the World Anti-Doping Code which states that in the event of one member testing positive for a prohibitive substance in team sports it is the individual and not the team which is liable.
