Chiliboy Ralepelle’s defence to his third positive doping test will include a number of key infringements made by the doping control officer during the process.
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Ralepelle is once again fighting for his career after returning a positive test in January 2019. But the 33-year-old has spoken out about the conduct of South African Institute for Drug-free Sport which included a number of laws not being followed purportedly to save costs.
‘The doping control officer kept samples with him overnight. Nobody knew that,’ he told Sport24.
‘He keeps samples in his house overnight. There were tests done on a Wednesday and he kept everything together with him because he had to ship everything together in one batch. How can you keep something like that in your own fridge at home?
‘We believe that’s against any testing protocol. Saids were being very defensive and they said it’s a way of saving money. Are you telling me, you’re keeping athletes’ samples in your home that you can’t ship on the day because you’re trying to save money?’
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Saids CEO Khalid Galant refused to comment on the allegations, instead stated that the former Springboks hooker would get his opportunity to state his case at the independent tribunal hearing.
Added to the list of irregularities was Ralepelle’s samples stored at the home of the doping officer and a 12 hour window where the samples couldn’t be accounted for.
Hendrik Hugo, of law firm ENS Africa, is representing Ralapelle. He said: ‘At the collection stage, the testing stage and application of the applicable laws … and at the subsequent sanction stage, we are of the view that there are grounds for appeal.
‘All those grounds, on an individual basis, will have to be considered by an appeal tribunal.’
This is Ralepelle’s third offence. He tested positive in 2010 and 2014.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
