WIPA appeals to CAS to deliver Campbell ruling

The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) has urged the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to immediately deliver its decision on an appeal from West Indies left-handed batsman John Campbell concerning his suspension for an anti-doping violation.

On Tuesday, WIPA bemoaned the length of time it was taking the Switzerland-based CAS to hand down a decision on the appeal after the 30-year-old Jamaican was banned for four years for refusing to submit a blood sample for testing in April 2022.

According to a news release from the players’ organisation, attorneys for Campbell filed an appeal with the CAS in December 2022, but the case drags on.

“The matter was heard before CAS in April 2023, and a decision was to be handed down on August 31, 2023,” the WIPA news release indicated.

“This decision has now been postponed without reason six times with a new ruling date of May 31, 2024, leaving the athlete in an unacceptable state of limbo.

“Unfortunately, Mr Campbell’s case is not an isolated incident. Countless players and athletes across codes and countries are being denied access to justice through global sport’s ineffective dispute resolution system, as enforced by the CAS,” the statement added.

Campbell was given the ban by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) after he was charged with evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection.

He played 20 Tests, six One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20 internationals for the West Indies, before JADCO accused him of refusing to provide a blood sample at his home in Kingston in April.

The WIPA news release stated that progress towards overhauling the CAS has been lacking, and they have appealed for urgent reforms.

“This has a devastating impact on athletes like Mr Campbell, who are often forced to abandon their short-term and precarious careers due to the time and money required to run their case,” the news release added.

“Player associations worldwide will continue to fight for justice on behalf of their members and athletes everywhere.”

The news release further stated: “Extensive reform recommendations based on best practice standards have been tabled with the leadership of global sport’s institutions, including the International Olympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency, and CAS that would embed athlete rights and resolve the vast majority of cases of injustice.

“It is overdue that these reforms are implemented. Athletes should not be collateral damage as a consequence of the failures in sports governance.”

The WIPA news release noted that the World Players’ Association (WPA) and the Federation of International Cricketers’ Association (FICA) were standing in solidarity with Campbell and WIPA in “the fight for fairness”.

(CMC)