Cyclist Petacchi's appeal set for CAS hearing

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2007

ROME (AFP) — The appeal's committee of the Italian Cycling Federation (FIC) have requested that the case of cyclist Alessandro Petacchi, who tested positive for doping during the Tour of Italy, should be heard before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The FCI cleared the 33-year-old sprint ace of doping last month claiming that human error was to blame for his positive test for salbutamol, a substance primarily used to treat asthma, in May which resulted in his Milram team barring him from the Tour de France.

The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) had recommended that Petacchi be banned from cycling for 12 months and were appealing the FCI decision to clear the rider.

But after a hearing with Petacchi on Saturday, the FCI claimed they were not competent...