An Italian bridge player, Roberto Rivera, has been disqualified for one month by the National Anti-Doping Court (TNA) for a violation of Art 2.1 of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) code.
The Italian bridge player was found positive in the anti-doping analyses. There were traces of hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide in the sample taken by the Control Committee of CONI NADO (National Anti-Doping Organization) on 1st of June 2013.
Roberto Rivera was playing the Italian Mixed Teams Championships with team Hugony – ASD N. CANOTTIERI OLONA (with Fabrizio Hugony, Barbara Dessi, Vera Tagliaferri, Leonardo Cima, Laura Consonni). The event took place in Salsomaggiore Terme (next to Parma, Italy) from the 5th of May to the 2nd of June 2013.
Mr Rivera was suspended as a precautionary measure on 19th of June 2013: Thus, the disqualification is already fully served.
When the news was spread Maurizio Di Sacco (Italian Bridge Federation Chief Tournament Director) explained : ” I have read the news about the doping case, and I think it is necessary to clarify that the player involved had notified, before the test, that he was taking many medications for his heart. Moreover, he had the appropriate documents (in the hotel), but he did not hand them in earlier, because he did not know he had to. If one wants to follow strictly the Anti-Doping code, he did violate it, however I think the news should be downsized”.
This is the press release issued today by CONI (Italian Olympic Committee):
The National Antidoping Court – First Section, states that Roberto Rivera (according to sections 2.1.1, 21.1.1, and 10.4 of WADA Code) is responsible for the offence and suspends him for one month, the suspension was backdated to the 19th of June 2013, and is therefore completed. Tribunal cost of 200 euros (two hundred) was charged to the offender. Tribunal decision has to be ratified by parties involved, WADA, WBF, FIGB, and offender’s home club at the time.
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