Court rules Museeuw subject to narcotics laws

The Belgian constitutional court has ruled that athletes who are punished for doping under Flemish anti-doping regulations can also be charged with violating federal narcotics laws. The court heard an appeal of a previous case by Johan Museeuw.

The former champion had argued that both laws could not apply simultaneously, but the court disagreed. Health education, preventative health care and sports medical control fall under the control of the Flemish Community, it agreed, but laws regulating the use of drugs are enforced by the federal government. This means that the Belgian narcotics laws may be applied to the Museeuw case, even if he had previously been sanctioned by the Flemish Community for doping.

The charges in the case date back to 2003, and concern the unauthorized possession and sale of a number of drugs. Museeuw was suspended for two years for his participation in the affair, although he had already retired from pro cycling.

The legal case against Museeuw will thus continue in front of a Kortrijk court on September 28.