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."



France will Host Israel in the Nations League 'Under Usual Conditions,' French Authorities Say

Israel’s Mohammad Abu Fani celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Italia and Israel at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)
Israel’s Mohammad Abu Fani celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Italia and Israel at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)
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France will Host Israel in the Nations League 'Under Usual Conditions,' French Authorities Say

Israel’s Mohammad Abu Fani celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Italia and Israel at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)
Israel’s Mohammad Abu Fani celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Italia and Israel at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)

Israel's Nations League soccer match against host France next month will take place in "usual conditions,” French authorities said Tuesday, a day after Italy hosted Israel in the same competition without incident despite security concerns.

Laurent Nuñez, the Paris police prefect, said in a statement that the match at the Stade de France on Nov. 14 will be played “under the usual conditions for a Nations League match and will of course be open to the public,” The AP reported.

Italy beat Israel 4-1 in the Nations League on Monday, with the game being played against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which has spread to Lebanon after more than a year-long war in Gaza.

It was the first match Israel has played outside neutral Hungary this year. After the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7 last year, the national soccer team played in Kosovo and Andorra last November.

All Israel matches since then have been in Hungary, including last month’s game against Belgium in the Nations League after the Belgian Football Association refused to host the game for security reasons.