The Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) have had all funding suspended by the Irish Sports Council after failing to reveal specific information surrounding their decision not to sanction a boxer who tested positive for an anabolic steroid.
The decision to withhold funding was made at the Sports Council's most recent meeting and a statement released yesterday outlined the reasons for their action. According to the Council's chief executive John Treacy, there were repeated requests made to the IABA for specific information on the case but this had not been provided within the period set down by the Council.
"We weren't asking for anything unreasonable," said Treacy. "It wasn't a witch-hunt but what we did want to do was review the case and come to our own conclusions. We had certain questions and they needed to be answered but they refused to provide the information we required."
The unidentified boxer tested positive for an anabolic steroid during the national championships last January but was cleared following a four-and-a-half month investigation by the IABA's anti-doping committee. The boxer had claimed that while staying at the home of a body-building friend, he took a drink from the fridge which he later discovered contained the brand of steroid Winstrol.
However, the Sports Council had made clear its intention to review the process employed by the IABA so that the Council could establish that the due process had been followed. "We have a statutory obligation to defend the Government's anti-doping programme," added Treacy. "This obligation carries very specific responsibilities of guardianship. In the light of the IABA's refusal to provide all the necessary information we are left with no option but to suspend all assistance, including funding, with immediate effect."
The nature of this particular case, combined with the weight of the Council's obligations, resulted in the request by the Council for all documentation relating to the decision. At first, the IABA furnished a copy of their own anti-doping rules, their anti-doping procedures, and a copy of the rules for international competitions of the International Amateur Boxing Association (IABA).
But according to the Council, the more relevant material was not made available. On June 9th, they requested further documentation including: a complete copy of the IABA anti-doping inquiry committee; a complete copy of each document referred to in the schedule of documents contained in this report; an explanation of the relationship between the doping control rule in the Constitution and Rule Book of the IABA and the anti-doping procedures of the IABA; an explanation as to why the wording of the charge in anti-doping procedures differs from the definition of the offence in the IABA Constitution and Rule Book.
In a statement responding to the matter, the IABA yesterday said that they "strongly support the Government's anti-doping programme" and in setting up their anti-doping regulations "consulted with major international sporting organisation's procedures as well as those of the Sports Council under the direction of our legal representatives".
The IABA also claimed to have responded to all correspondence on the matter and "will look for a meeting forthwith to discuss and resolve this matter".
The IABA has already received 75 per cent (£247,226) of this year's total funding of £326,634 - money that will not have to be returned. The Council's decision to withhold further assistance was taken under the provisions of Section 8 of the Irish Sports Council Act of last year, which provides that the Council may seek information from a National Governing Body and the sanction can be applied if the Council is satisfied that information requested is not forthcoming.
"It's now a matter for the IABA," said Treacy. "Our relationship has always been good and I am quite surprised by their position. At the moment, funding is suspended but if the information is received then the Council will review the decision in due course."
