Sinner Has his Steroid Case Appealed by World Anti-Doping Agency

Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against Chile's Nicolas Jarry during their men's single round of 32 match at the China Open tournament in Beijing on September 26, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against Chile's Nicolas Jarry during their men's single round of 32 match at the China Open tournament in Beijing on September 26, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
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Sinner Has his Steroid Case Appealed by World Anti-Doping Agency

Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against Chile's Nicolas Jarry during their men's single round of 32 match at the China Open tournament in Beijing on September 26, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against Chile's Nicolas Jarry during their men's single round of 32 match at the China Open tournament in Beijing on September 26, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)

The steroid case involving top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the Montreal-based body known as WADA announced Saturday.

According to The Associated Press, WADA said it is seeking a ban of one to two years for the US Open champion.

Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March but was not banned in a decision by an independent tribunal announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Aug. 20 because the ITIA determined he was not to blame.

Sinner’s accepted explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat their own cut finger.

WADA said it filed an appeal on Thursday to the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“It is WADA’s view that the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ was not correct under the applicable rules,” WADA said in a statement. “WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance."



Neymar Still Out of Brazil Squad for World Cup Qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay

 Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Hilal v Al-Taawoun - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 26, 2024 Al-Hilal's Neymar poses for a picture in the stands during the match. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Hilal v Al-Taawoun - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 26, 2024 Al-Hilal's Neymar poses for a picture in the stands during the match. (Reuters)
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Neymar Still Out of Brazil Squad for World Cup Qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay

 Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Hilal v Al-Taawoun - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 26, 2024 Al-Hilal's Neymar poses for a picture in the stands during the match. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Hilal v Al-Taawoun - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 26, 2024 Al-Hilal's Neymar poses for a picture in the stands during the match. (Reuters)

Neymar is back in action after more than a year out due to a torn ACL but he won’t be playing in Brazil’s last two World Cup qualifiers this year.

Brazil coach Dorival Júnior did not include the star striker in his squad on Friday for matches at Venezuela on Nov. 14 and against Uruguay five days later.

Neymar returned for Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal on Oct. 21 in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Júnior said he’s talked to Neymar three times in the last two months and the striker wanted to play for the national team.

“He is fully recovered, but he has had just a few minutes of play, and that was a big reason,” Júnior said. “By next year, he will have had more time playing, he will totally recover his confidence.”

Júnior also left out teenage striker Endrick.

Brazil is fourth in South American qualifying, six points behind leader Argentina after 10 rounds. The top six teams secure automatic berths in the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil:

Goalkeepers: Weverton (Palmeiras), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Manchester City).

Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Vanderson (Monaco) Abner (Lyon), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro), Murillo (Nottingham Forest) Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain).

Midfielders: André (Wolverhampton), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Gerson (Flamengo), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Raphinha (Barcelona).

Forwards: Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Botafogo), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Estêvão (Palmeiras), Savinho (Manchester City).