WADA prepared to allow new trial for banned duo

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said yesterday it would not stand in the way of an appeal by two Italian footballers banned for a year after turning up late for a 2007 drugs test.

Napoli winger Daniele Mannini and Brescia striker Davide Possanzini were suspended last month by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after WADA challenged the original 15-day ban issued by the Italian Olympic Committee.

CAS partially upheld WADA's appeal, finding a two-year ban would have been the normal mandatory punishment but reducing it to one year after ruling the players bore "no significant fault" for providing the late samples.

"We are not saying we would support a lesser sanction," WADA director general David Howman said.

"But we received an application from the players concerned for the case to be reopened and we have said to the court if they have the ability to do that, we will not oppose it."

Mannini and Possanzini, who were both playing for Brescia in December 2007, were ordered to attend a post-match dressing down by their coach following the club's third successive defeat.

The detour made them up to 25 minutes late for the test which players are supposed to make themselves available for as soon as possible.

The pair are now seeking to have CAS re-examine their case based on what their lawyers say will be new evidence not presented in the original trial.