IABA backs procedures in boxer's case

The Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) yesterday issued a statement arising out of their Central Council's meeting last Saturday where the controversial anti-doping investigation of an unidentified boxer was comprehensively reviewed - a case which resulted in the Irish Sports Council suspending all funding to the organisation.

According to the IABA, the council unanimously endorsed the handling of the affair by the association's representatives. The work of the IABA anti-doping officer John Fogarty in the administration and promotion of the IABA/Sports Council's anti-doping scheme was also highly commended.

In addition, the council fully endorsed the implementation of the anti-doping procedures in the case: i.e. that a full and rigorous inquiry was carried out by the IABA inquiry committee; that its report was presented to and accepted by the Central Council; that the results were notified to the Sports Council; and that the Sports Council alone were invited to inspect the entire report and all accompanying documents.

Last month, the Sports Council suspended all funding to the IABA over the lack of co-operation in their requests to review documents surrounding the case. The boxer, who tested positive for steroids at the National Championships last January, was subsequently cleared by the IABA but the Sports Council argued that certain inconsistencies existed in the investigation.

Yesterday, the chief executive of the Sports Council, John Treacy, reiterated the council's stance that certain documents were withheld from examination.

Yet the IABA are standing by their claims that they have responded to all correspondence from the Sports Council and provided them with access to all information: "(We) regret that the Sports Council has deemed itself not satisfied with the proposal to share information but are seeking copies of all documents relating to the matter, without guarantee or indemnity as to their security. The issue of the control of sensitive documents is a matter of serious concern to the Association's legal representatives.".

They also stated that the legal officers would address any outstanding items, in the context of the constitutional rights of the individual and the accountability of the procedures, following which a meeting will be sought with Treacy in order to find a speedy resolution.

The meeting was also "highly critical of the unwarranted and grossly excessive reaction of the Sports Council to the affair" and recommended that an independent facilitator be established to deal with conflicts of this nature that arise between the national governing bodies and the Sports Council.