BARCELONA, January 6 – Spain’s main government sports authority has called for the resignation of the head of the Anti-Doping Agency (CELAD) following accusations of misconduct.
The High Council for Sport announced late yesterday that it had handed over the anti-doping agency’s report to Spanish prosecutors after investigating the complaint.
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The complaint alleged “impropriety in the use of public funds and in the control and sanctions of doping.”
Spanish media outlet Relevo reported this week that the country’s anti-doping agency was exploiting bureaucratic loopholes to cover up positive cases.
The council, led by José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, called for the resignation of CELAD director José Luis Terreros, saying it was exposing Spain’s sport and anti-doping agency to “reputational damage”.
The council said if Mr. Terreros does not resign, Mr. Uribes and Education and Sports Minister Pilar Alegría will seek his removal.
Urives reiterated “Spain’s commitment to ensuring that all athletes compete on equal terms and that the purity of sport is transmitted” and said it would “cooperate faithfully” with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). .
WADA on Friday criticized Spain’s anti-doping agency, threatening that doping cases could have “serious consequences for Spanish sport” if they are not properly addressed.
WADA President Witold Banka said: “We are well aware that there are deep-seated anti-doping problems in Spain.”
“We are disappointed in the level of cooperation we have received from CELAD in trying to improve the system for Spanish athletes.”
WADA said the matter was still under “comprehensive investigation” – AFP