The International Disciplinary Court, composed of Messrs. Alexander Gontard (President), Frantisek Schulmann and Gerhard Hager, convened today in Hockenheim in a public hearing in order to judge the case of Japanese rider Noriyuki Haga, who was submitted to an anti-doping control at the South-African round of the Superbike World Championship held in Kyalami on April 2 last, and whose sample was found not in accordance with the rules, containing a concentration of ephedrine above the cut-off level. The counter-test with the B sample confirmed the results of the A sample. The CDI was assisted by Dr. Kreutz (President of the FIM International Medical Panel), Prof. Müller (of the IOC-accredited anti-doping laboratory) and Mr. Backlund (of the International Doping Test Management) as experts.

Although having been duly notified, Mr. Haga or his representatives failed to appear at the hearing.

The CDI took into consideration the cut-off level of 10 m g/ml stated in the 2000 IOC anti-doping rules, instead of the cut-off level of 5 m g/ml stated in the current FIM anti-doping rules. The CDI dismissed all the arguments and objections put forward in writing before the hearing by the representatives of Mr. Haga.

The CDI took the following sanctions: Mr. Haga is suspended for a period of one month as from June 5, 2000 (prohibition from taking part in any of the activities under FIM control), and excluded from the results of the South-African round of the Superbike World Championship. Mr. Haga must also return the trophies, prizes and indemnities received at that event and bear the costs of the hearing. The full decision will be notified later. An appeal against this decision may be lodged within 10 days as from the receipt of the official notification. The classification of the Superbike World Championship has been adapted accordingly (see below).