- Title: Dan Carter doping allegations expose flaws in French law, minister says
- Date: 7th October 2016
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (FILE - MARCH 2, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CARTER SIGNING COPIES OF BOOK
- Embargoed: 22nd October 2016 13:19
- Keywords: rugby Dan Carter doping Patrick Kanner
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE / BAGSHOT AND LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: PARIS, FRANCE / BAGSHOT AND LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: France
- Topics: Rugby Union,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA004530A2PR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Doping allegations surrounding rugby's World Player of the Year Dan Carter may have exposed a flaw in French law, the country's sports minister said on Friday (October 7).
French newspaper L'Equipe reported on Thursday that tests conducted after the Top 14 final in June, in which the New Zealander's team Racing Metro beat Toulon 29-21, showed "anomalies" in the urine of Carter and fellow countryman Joe Rokocoko.
The players' agent said they both had exceptions for the use of the banned substance, medication prescribed as they recovered from injuries.
But speaking to France Info radio on Friday, French Sports Minister Patrick Kanner said such exceptions could be sought after the drug tests had been done, saying the system was potentially flawed.
"You request these exemptions from the French anti-doping agency, an organisation under the authority of the government, and they verify if the state of (the athlete's) health justifies medicines being given," he said.
"From what I understand there was no request made beforehand but you can rectify that sort of thing after the event," he added.
Asked whether Racing could be stripped of their title, Kanner said the French rugby authority the FFR would study the case.
"If the federation decides that there has been cheating - let's speaking clearly - I think they will face up to their responsibilities. But we're at the beginning of the process, let's be cautious," he said. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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