Perhaps inspired by the recent success of Danilo Hondo in using the Swiss civil courts to have his extended ban overturned, Roberto Heras is planning a similar appeal through the Spanish legal system. Heras, who tested positive for EPO at the 2005 Vuelta a Espana has already had an appeal to the court in Castilla y Leon rejected because the body was not prepared to hear his case until all avenues of appeal via sporting courts had been exhausted.
Heras' appeal against his two-year ban is now before a commission of the Spanish Olympic committee, which will make its decision in the next three months. If the ban is upheld, then Heras' lawyer José Maria Buxeda says the next step is the civil courts. "The (civil) court did not basically deny it had jurisdiction," he said Monday. "We will plead if necessary before the civil courts."
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
