Court dismisses cyclist Ricco’s appeal against doping suspension

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed Riccardo Ricco’s appeal against a 12-year suspension for an anti-doping violation.

Ricco was handed the sanction by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) last year after a self-administered blood transfusion led to him being admitted to hospital.

Ricco appealed that judgement to CAS, questioning CONI’s impartiality and highlighting several procedural errors.

However, CAS, represented by sole arbitrator professor UIrich Haas, ruled the Italian had “failed to demonstrate a lack of impartiality” and upheld the suspension.

The 29-year-old was previously ejected from the 2008 Tour de France for doping violations and suspended.