Valverde and Dr Fuentes?

hommelbier

http://www.velo-club.net/article?sid=41982

Interesting comments from Anne Gripper (original article in CW)

Hommelbier

vermooten

Google sez:

The name of the Spanish Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) has already been mentioned several times in the case of Puerto, the runner litigants that the nickname which is identified it had nothing to do with him.

This time, Anne Gripper, head of anti-doping plan of the unit, inserts a little over the nail, in an interview with the British journal Cycling "Cycling weekly":

"We (CIU) have received an additional report of 6000 pages on the Puerto affair. We have evidence that Valverde is indeed a loyal customer of Doctor Fuentès. He visited him several times in Madrid ..."

"Why no sanctions so far then? The political class preferred to keep the news to her, even the completely obscure. They know very well that other sports Spaniards in other disciplines, are involved. Puerto Case lasted for 18 months and you do not see the end of the tunnel. meantime, continue to criticize racers roll down ... "

iainf72

You can read it here in English

dave_1

Given the amount of cyclists and staff of their teams being or about to be unemployed..who would you suspend. Me

Valverde

probably Kloeden based on Dhont info.

hommelbier

http://www.velo-club.net/article?sid=42084

Looks like WADA are looking for a two year suspension for Valverde.

Translation from the French reference - According to the Spanish daily newspaper AS, the WADA are seeking a two year suspension of Valverde.

I've looked at the AS report but my Spanish is not up to a translation but seems to confirm this.

Hommelbier

DaveyL

Thanks for the link to the CW article, Iain.

"Operacion Puerto has been the most frustrating situation the UCI has had to deal with in its history. The file has been going on for 18 months now and there are several — many — riders who are racing now who should not be, but for a whole range of reasons we have not been able to bring those cases to a conclusion. Partly that's because of the complicated judicial system in Spain and partly because of political reasons in Spain, which have meant some documents have not been released because they probably relate to sports other than cycling."

Love it.

top_bhoy

In football, FIFA have the authority to suspend National Associations - which means that the suspended country cannot participate in World Cup or Continental International competitions and that the domestic teams cannot compete from outside their national boundaries. It has happened recently to one country - the name escapes me at the minute!!

I don't see why UCI cannot do something similar to Spanish Cycling, there surely must have enough evidence of shenanigans to at least investigate - or are they not in control of the assocaitions and if so what is the point of the UCI role if they cannot govern.

iainf72

Top_Bhoy wrote:

I don't see why UCI cannot do something similar to Spanish Cycling, there surely must have enough evidence of shenanigans to at least investigate - or are they not in control of the assocaitions and if so what is the point of the UCI role if they cannot govern.

The situation is a lot more complex. The Spanish legal system say none of the evidence from Puerto can be used for sporting sanctions. Suspending the federation isn't going to change that. And with the rumoured huge commercial interests at stake with Puerto I can't see much changing.

WADA are getting involved by bringing the CAS action - But CAS have to ask "Can you use then evidence legally?" - "Erm, no" - "Ok, come back when you can"

afx237vi

Top_Bhoy wrote:

In football, FIFA have the authority to suspend National Associations - which means that the suspended country cannot participate in World Cup or Continental International competitions and that the domestic teams cannot compete from outside their national boundaries. It has happened recently to one country - the name escapes me at the minute!!

Greece, because the Greek government were attempting to run the football association.

I don't see why UCI cannot do something similar to Spanish Cycling, there surely must have enough evidence of shenanigans to at least investigate - or are they not in control of the assocaitions and if so what is the point of the UCI role if they cannot govern.

Would be harsh, in my opinion. Much of the problem is with the Spanish legal system, not the Spanish federation. Plus you would be penalising, what, 200 cyclists (more?) for the actions of a few dozen (many of them not even Spanish).

Titanium

Doping is not a criminal offence in Spain, so understandably many do not want to stir the pot when nothing illegal has taken place. Hushhush.
Meanwhile another soccer player or cyclist will die or boost their chances of early cancer whilst Dr Fuentes enjoys exotic vacations.

drenkrom

On one hand, the Spanish federation defends Valverde by saying the evidence can't be used for sporting sentences because it is tied up in a criminal proceeding. On the other hand, they say they can't sanction anyone as no crime was committed. And then, Lissavetsky goes in front of the media to say how Operacion Puerto reallly taught people a lesson. Wh.. whaaaaat? So much hypocrisy!