By Kayon Raynor
Jamaica and West Indies cricketer Andre Russell is set to face an independent anti-doping disciplinary panel in Jamaica starting on July 20 at a preliminary hearing to answer for his whereabouts rule violation.
That’s the word from one of his two attorneys Patrick Foster Q.C, who also revealed that Donovan Walker will also represent the big hitting all-rounder in the matter.
"The matter is set for hearing next week Wednesday at 10:00am," Foster told RJR Sports via phone Thursday afternoon. Foster noted that "The hearing will deal with preliminary matters, but evidence will begin on another date."
The whereabouts rule violation had been confirmed by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) more than four months ago on March 4.
The 28-year-old Russell missed three doping tests within a 12-month period and faces a possible two-year ban from cricket if found guilty.
Another source familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of not being named told RJR Sports online on Thursday that "the three member panel to be chaired by attorney Hugh Faulkner will take place at the Courtleigh Hotel."
Russell, who helped the West Indies win their second ICC World Twenty20 title in India in April, was not provisionally suspended.
Athletes across all sporting disciplines must inform their local anti-doping agency, in this case JADCO, where they will be for at least one hour each day to facilitate drug tests, according to the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
If an athlete misses three drug tests within a 12-month period that counts as a positive test. Attorney Foster previously defended another national cricketer, Odean Brown for a whereabouts rule violation.
Brown was given a 15 month ban by the then Kent Pantry - chaired Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel.
All feeds
