By filing an appeal against possible World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) fines, South Africa has been able to buy some time. Consequently, Temba Bavuma’s team won’t face any immediate consequences.
Taking off their flag at the ongoing World Cup was one of the many possible outcomes confronting the Proteas, as were barred from hosting any significant events. Arbitration will now be engaged in the South African dispute.
“The South African NADO formally notified WADA today that it contests the charge of non-compliance against it and the suggested penalties. In a short while, WADA will forward the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for review. Therefore, the accusation of non-compliance is placed on hold, and the penalties won’t take effect until after CAS rules,” a recent statement from WADA stated.
WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) had earlier announced that the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) of South Africa had been determined to violate the WADA Code by the agency’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC). In this instance, the non-compliance stemmed from the fact that South Africa’s laws needed to be by the 2021 Code.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is relieved that the case has been postponed and that the South African side, which has been playing remarkably well in the World Cup, won’t need to face any penalties straight now.