WADA revokes Lisbon lab accreditation

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Europe

The World Anti-Doping Agency revoked the accreditation of the anti-doping laboratory in Lisbon on Thursday, which had already been suspended for failing to comply with international standards.

WADA said the LAD laboratory had been notified of the revocation on Tuesday and remained ineligible to analyze doping control samples for anti-doping organizations that are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code.

The lab was initially suspended on April 15, 2016, for six months, which was extended to 12 months.

"Following the expiry of the one-year suspension, WADA noted that the irregularities persisted and so instituted disciplinary proceedings to revoke the Lisbon Laboratory's accreditation entirely," WADA said in a statement.

The Portuguese government vowed in 2016 that steps would be taken to have the laboratory re-accredited. WADA did not specify the shortcomings, which were reported to be a lack of independence and the slow treatment of test samples.

WADA said that it had conducted various assessments since December 17 and found there were still shortcomings and the body's disciplinary committee recommended that the laboratory's accreditation be revoked.

The lab can appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Source(s): AFP