Athletics: Dwain Chambers' support team should also be punished if they are found to have helped him take the new designer anabolic steroid, the chief executive of UK Athletics, David Moorcroft, said last night.

Though stressing that he did not want to prejudice the case and that he was talking in general terms, Moorcroft left no one in doubt he believes the European 100 metres champion and record holder has not acted independently in the course of action that has seen him test positive for tetrahydrogestrinone (THG).

Chambers, who has not admitted taking THG either knowingly or otherwise, was officially suspended by UK Athletics after it received notification yesterday from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that analysis of his B sample matched that of his positive A test for THG.

"One of the things we support is working with the IAAF and other agencies to try to unravel how these things happen," said Moorcroft.

"It's extremely difficult, particularly when most of this situation emanates from the United States. It is not something we could do in isolation. We would need the help of the IAAF and WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency). "The sport needs to figure out ways we can investigate those involved or have (a) statement that strict liability also applies to the support team. That would be very hard to do. But I've always felt that there has been a web of deceit behind the athlete."

Chambers has admitted testing positive for THG but claims he was unaware of the contents of the supplements he was taking.

He has alleged Victor Conte, his nutritionist who founded the San Francisco-based Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (Balco), gave him the substance. Conte's lawyer has denied Chambers's claim.

Conte was recommended to Chambers by his coach Remi Korchemny. The Londoner had been encouraged to work with the Ukraine-born Korchemny by John Regis, the former European 200 metres champion who is now his manager.

Stellar, the management company Regis runs with the football agent Jonathan Barnett, had claimed at its launch two years ago it would be the most professional athletics agency in the world. But last night it issued a statement admitting it had let Chambers down and that agencies such as itself should be more closely monitored.

"It is increasingly evident that athletes have to unconditionally rely on the guidance and expertise of those advising them and, whilst there are no 'moral or ethical standard codes of practice' or a monitoring 'governing body' for those whom they rely upon, they remain largely unprotected while entirely responsible," said Regis.

"Therefore, we urge all the relevant governing bodies within sport to recognise this significant void. We invite them to develop a system of certification and accreditation applying to coaches, nutritionists, manufacturers of supplements, et cetera. This could as readily apply to agents and managers also."

Chambers has 28 days to inform UK Athletics if he wants an independent disciplinary hearing. If he does he will appear before a panel made up of a barrister or QC as chairman and a scientist and independent observer from the sport.

If found guilty, the 25-year-old would face a ban of at least two years and miss next summer's Athens Olympics, where he would otherwise be among the favourites for a gold medal. Under British rules he would also face a lifetime ban from the Olympics.

Britain would also lose the silver medal Chambers helped them win in the 4x100 metres relay when he ran the final leg in the World Championships in Paris in August.

That means his team-mates Darren Campbell, Marlon Devonish and Christian Malcolm would not receive any prize money.

If Chambers appealed, the case could end up in the British courts and involve UK Athletics in expensive litigation.

"It's something we have been mindful of since 1997 (the year UK Athletics was formed)," said Moorcroft. "We put aside £300,000 per year as a contingency to deal with doping and other legal issues."