Guyanese and West Indies cricketer Tremayne Smartt has been slapped with a five-month ban by the ICC for a doping violation under Article 2.1 of the ICC Anti-Doping Code after she used a prohibited drug for an injury.
It was also confirmed last evening that she tested positive for the drug Furosemide following a random drugs test at the end of a Twenty20 International match against Pakistan in Georgetown last September. She is not expected to return to action until March 25 next year.
Furosemide is a diuretic and is on the World Anti Doping Agency’s banned list of substances.
According to a release from the ICC, Smartt’s sample was tested by a World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory and was found to contain Furosemide. This is classified as a ‘Specified Substance’ under WADA’s Prohibited List and is prohibited both In-Competition and Out-of-Competition.
An independent anti-doping tribunal, comprising Mr Tim Kerr, QC, (acting as chairman), Dr Anik Sax and Prof. Peter Sever heard the case yesterday in London and made its determination after considering detailed written and oral legal submissions as well as live witness evidence, including from Smartt herself.
Also, according to the ICC release Smartt said that it was never her intention to breach the anti-doping regulations and that she did attempt to check the Prohibited List. She also acknowledged that this possibly was not done properly and therefore she would accept the consequences.
Smartt, who hails from Berbice, said that she regrets the embarrassment she caused and her action should be seen as a warning to other players.
Smartt said, “It was never my intention to breach the anti-doping regulations and I did attempt to check the Prohibited List myself. However, I acknowledge that I did not do this effectively and have to accept the consequences. My experience should act as a warning to all cricketers that they should never take any medical products without first consulting a qualified sports medicine practitioner.
“I deeply regret the embarrassment that this episode has brought upon me and the West Indies Cricket Board, and apologise to my team-mates and all fans of West Indies cricket.”
Smartt can lodge an appeal within 21 days.
Stabroek Sport was unable to make contact with Vice President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Alfred Mentore, who is responsible for cricket development.
