Sinner positive for steroid but innocent by anti-doping standards

Jannik Sinner tested positive for doping last April, but an independent investigation by Itia, the world tennis anti-doping agency, cleared him, due to an 'unknowing intake' of a substance used by his physiotherapist. This was announced by the Italian tennis player's press office. The substance found in the world tennis No. 1 was a metabolite of Clostebol, a steroid. Sinner will not incur any sanctions and will be able to continue his season.

Breaking the news of the doping affair involving Jannik Sinner is the Italian world number 1 tennis player himself, via a statement from his press office. "In April, Jannik Sinner was informed that he tested positive for a metabolite of the substance Clostebol (less than one billionth of a gram)," the note announces. "Following a thorough and extensive investigation, ITIA and Jannik discovered that the unintentional Clostebol contamination occurred through the treatment he received from his physiotherapist.

His fitness instructor bought a product readily available as an over-the-counter product in any Italian pharmacy, which was given to the same physiotherapist to treat a cut on his hand: Jannik knew nothing about it and his physiotherapist did not know that he had used' a product containing Clostebol on himself. "The physiotherapist," the note continues, "then 'treated' Jannik without gloves and had contact with various skin lesions on the tennis player's body", causing an "unintentional contamination" for Sinner, who "cooperated fully with the ITIA investigation from the outset".

The International Tennis Independent Agency 'combats misconduct in sport and especially doping practices, its rules and procedures are extremely strict. Following a forensic investigation and an independent hearing, an independent tribunal decided that Jannik is innocent, he is not at fault'.

"However," the note continues, "given the strict liability nature of the anti-doping rules, Sinner has agreed to forfeit the points he won in the Indian Wells tournament, where the test was carried out. Sinner, in fact, 'recognises the importance of the ITIA's strict anti-doping rules in protecting the sport he loves'. In the note, in addition to the blue tennis player's words, there are also statements from his lawyer, Jamie Singer. "Anti-doping rules must be strict to be effective. Unfortunately, the unfortunate consequence is that sometimes completely innocent athletes get caught up in them. There is no doubt that Jannik is innocent in this case. The ITIA did not question this key principle. However, according to strict liability rules, Jannik is responsible for everything in his 'system', even when he is completely unaware of it, as in this exceptional case'. The matter, the note concludes, 'is now closed'.