Puerta lawyer: Verdict undermines battle against drugs

A solicitor acting for Mariano Puerta believes the decision to ban the player for eight years for a second doping offence would “undermine the battle against drug cheats in sport”.

The ban was imposed on the 27-year-old Argentinean by the International Tennis Federation in accordance with the guidelines set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after he tested positive for banned stimulant etilefrine after the French Open final in June.