
British tennis star hit with a FOUR-YEAR ban for doping - 18 months after being cleared by an independent tribunal for eating contaminated meat
The 32-year-old was first sanctioned three years ago after banned substances nandrolone and boldenone were found in positive tests Moore underwent during a tournament in Bogota, Colombia in April 2022.
After receiving an immediate ban following month, Moore - a former British No1 doubles player - was forced to wait for 19 months for the tribunal to rule that the anabolic steroids had entered her bloodstream via contaminated meats eaten in the days before her initial urine test.
Moore shared a heartfelt statement in the wake of the decision as she decried the '19 months of lost time' that waiting for the hearing's verdict that she 'bore no fault or negligence' had stolen from her.
Since returning to the tour in April 2024, Moore has frequently spoken out against what she believed was preferential treatment shown to Iga Swiatek, who was handed a one-month suspension after she tested positive for trimetazidine via contaminated melatonin.
But Moore will now face an extended spell on the sidelines which could bring a premature end to her career after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the International Tennis Integrity Agency's appeal into the initial hearing verdict.
'After reviewing the scientific and legal evidence, the majority of the Cas panel considered that the player did not succeed in proving that the concentration of nandrolone in her sample was consistent with the ingestion of contaminated meat,' a Cas statement read.
'The panel concluded that Ms Moore failed to establish that the ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violation) was not intentional. The appeal by the ITIA is therefore upheld and the decision rendered by the Independent Tribunal is set aside.'
Moore's second suspension will be effective immediately, but reduced to 19 months due to previous time served.
The verdict from Cas' March hearing into the appeal now means that the British player will be unable to return to competition until the start of the 2028 season.
ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse stressed that the decision to appeal the initial verdict was 'not taken lightly'.
'In this case, our independent scientific advice was that the player did not adequately explain the high level of nandrolone present in their sample,' she continued. 'Today's ruling is consistent with this position.
'We understand that players and their support teams may have questions about this decision, and we will answer these fully once we have reviewed the details of the ruling.'
Moore is believed to have filed a cross-appeal at Cas in a bid to dismiss the ITIA appeal, but this was declared inadmissible by the Swiss court.
Moore's 'no fault or negligence' verdict is not without precedent, with Colombian doubles star Robert Farah successfully arguing that he had been contaminated by meat eaten in his home country after returning a positive result for boldenone.
But Moore's second verdict will continue to keep anti-doping measures and the process of handling doping cases at the top of the tennis agenda after months of debate around both Swiatek and world No1 Jannik Sinner's positive tests.
Sinner was handed a three-month suspension earlier this year after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the initial verdict that Sinner bore 'no fault or negligence' after clostebol entered his body via a cut on the hand of his physio that had been treated with the banned substance.
Debate swirled over the perceived leniency of his punishment, which for Sinner to return in time to compete at the French Open - where he reached the final - without missing any Grand Slam tournaments.
Swiatek was similarly subject to debate over special treatment after the former world No1 was handed her month-long suspension in November 2024 - having competed in tournaments after August's positive test.
Both Sinner and Swiatek were victorious in SW19 last weekend, with the Italian claiming his first Wimbledon Championship and Swiatek her sixth Grand Slam title.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
21 minutes ago
- BBC News
Gossip: Clarets keen on Johnstone to replace Trafford
Burnley want English goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, 32, from Wolves as they look to replace the outgoing James Trafford, who has joined Manchester City. (Sun), externalWant more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport


The Independent
23 minutes ago
- The Independent
Transfer news live: Liverpool target Isak after Diaz deal, Arsenal want Eze, Man Utd latest
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs striking major deals as the summer transfer window nears its final month. Liverpool have signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £79m deal having beaten off interest from Newcastle to secure his signature. The Reds have also agreed to sell Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich which could challenge the resolve of Newcastle who are holding firm in their valuation of Alexander Isak. Isak has requested to 'explore his options' away from the club with a move to Liverpool seemingly the likeliest destination as the Premier League champions aim to strengthen their forward line. Arsenal have completed the signing of Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres, closing out a deal worth £63m for the forward who was unveiled as a new Gunner during their pre-season match against Newcastle on Sunday. The Gunners have also confirmed the signing of Cristhian Mosquera in defence and have their sights on Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze. Elsewhere, Manchester United have completed the signing of Bryan Mbeumo who joins Matheus Cunha in Ruben Amorim's new-look attack though the manager is still hopeful of securing a No.9 before the start of the season. Marcus Rashford has completed a loan move to Barcelona while Jadon Sancho is drawing interest from Juventus as the club also focus on outgoings. Meanwhile, Chelsea have their sights on a Dutch duo of Xavi Simons and centre-back Jorrel Hato. Arsenal ramp up bid for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze Arsenal are aiming to swiftly move to secure Crystal Palace 's Eberechi Eze now that the deal for Sporting 's Viktor Gyokeres is complete. Mikel Arteta 's side are Eze's top choice, as has previously been reported by The Independent, and those close to the player are confident a deal will be done in the next few weeks. Arsenal are hoping to agree a fee that comes to £60m, rather than the reported £68m clause, although on terms that are also amenable to Palace. Although there has not yet been any formal contact between the two clubs, the suggestions are that both will be flexible, amid good relations between the two boardrooms. Mike Jones28 July 2025 07:23 Arsenal complete Viktor Gyokeres signing Arsenal have completed the signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting, for a final fee of €63m (£55m) with a further €10m to potentially be paid in add-ons (totalling £64m). The 27-year-old has signed a five-year contract. The purchase marks the end of an 18-month hunt for a number-nine from Arsenal, who have been insistent on signing a goalscorer for the 'here and now'. Gyokeres' arrival also marks the end of a hard period of negotiations with Sporting, who were insistent on more achievable add-ons. At one point, the deal dragged on and stalled over a potential add-on of €5m. Viktor Gyokeres signs five-year deal with Arsenal worth up to £64m The deal brings an end to Arsenal's lengthy wait for a number nine – and prolonged courtship of the Swede Miguel Delaney28 July 2025 07:22 Man Utd told Ollie Watkins is 'not for sale' after initial approach Manchester United have been firmly rebuffed by Aston Villa after an informal inquiry over a possible move for Ollie Watkins. United made the inquiry on Thursday evening but were told that Watkins 'is not for sale'. Watkins is just one of a few strikers United have looked at along with others including Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. With a valuation of around £60m, Watkins is one of the cheaper options United are exploring and has proven Premier League quality. If they do pursue a deal then it will be difficult to convince Villa to part ways with their man. Mike Jones28 July 2025 07:22 Liverpool accept €75m Luis Diaz bid from Bayern Munich Liverpool have accepted a €75m bid from Bayern Munich for Luis Diaz, who asked to leave Anfield and is now set to join the German champions. The Colombian winger, who is currently in Tokyo with Liverpool on their pre-season tour, will leave on Sunday or Monday to complete the formalities of his move. Liverpool had long insisted Diaz was not for sale but reluctantly agreed to his request to go. Liverpool accept €75m Luis Diaz bid from Bayern Munich Richard Jolly 28 July 2025 07:20


BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
Gossip: Whites improve offer for Feyenoord's Paixao
Leeds have made a second bid of £28m for Feyenoord's 25-year-old Brazilian winger Igor Paixao. (L'Equipe - in French), externalWant more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport