The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Lausanne has ruled in the matter of French Olympic hopeful Morgan Barbançon and has not ruled in favour.
It has extended her period of extension from 3 to 18 months.
Failed to Fill Out Whereabouts
On 10 April 2024 French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) suspended French team rider Morgan Barbançon for failing to declare her whereabouts three times. Her suspension started on 30 April.
FEI Athletes ranked in the Top 300 of the FEI World Riders Ranking are required to communicate their locations and make themselves available to be subject to (potentially unannounced) anti-doping controls.
Evading sample collection, or refusing or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification after notification by a duly authorized person can lead to suspension if any combination of three (3) missed tests and/or filing failures happened within a twelve month period.
The 31-year old was first heard and pleaded "difficulties connecting to the platform" in her defence, which the AFLD rejected. They suspended her for three months.
Appeal with CAS
In order not to loose her chance at riding at the Olympics, Barbançon was forced to appeal this decision with CAS in Lausanne. They heard her on 14 June and ruled.
CAS annulled AFLD's decision of the three month suspension and imposed an even tougher penalty: 18 month suspension. Her suspension will run from 10 april 2024 till 10 October 2025.
Her Olympic dream of riding in Versailles has gone up in smoke. Morgan told Eurodressage she's "devastated."
Grand Prix Replay posted that "in an official communication, Morgan Barbançon Mestre's lawyers described her as “a victim of malfunctions in the ADAMS software, preventing her from correctly entering her location data."
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Morgan Barbançon Suspended after Failing to Declare Whereabouts for Doping Tests
French Team for 2024 CDIO Compiegne Changed - Barbançon Drops Out