CONI appeal against Petacchi set

The appeal of the acquittal of doping charges against Milram sprinter Alessandro Petacchi has been set for April 2, at 09:00 at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. The Anti-doping Office of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) are appealing the acquittal of Petacchi made by the Italian Cycling Federation.

Petacchi tested 'non-negative' for the asthma medication Salbutamol during the 2007 Giro d'Italia. The Italian possessed the necessary exemption to use the drug, but had levels above the legal limit in his urine following stage 11 last May.

CONI prosecutor Ettore Torri has asked for Petacchi to be suspended for one year. Arbiters selected for the case are Peter Leaver (UK), Michele Bernasconi (Switzerland, appointed by the athlete) and Ulrich Haas (Germany, appointed by the Anti-doping office).