Former head vet suspended as FEI Official
The UAE Equestrian Federation’s former head vet has been suspended as an FEI official.
The UAE Equestrian Federation’s former head vet has been suspended as an FEI Official.
Dr Hallvard Sommerseth is suspended for two years for non-compliance with FEI Rules and Regulations and his involvement in a number of events from which duplicate results were submitted to the FEI.
The FEI Tribunal found that Dr Sommerseth had been “grossly negligent with regards to his duties as an FEI Official” during the events.
The suspension prevents Dr Sommerseth from acting as an FEI Official or having any involvement in FEI activities at a national or international level until 15 April 2017.
He has been fined CHF 4,000 and ordered to pay CHF 1,500 towards the costs of legal proceedings.
In addition to Dr Sommerseth, the FEI has also published its decision to suspend Abdul Aziz Sheikh former head of the EEF Endurance department, and Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi.
Mr Sheikh was provisionally suspended in October for constantly failing to observe FEI rules and regulations over a period of several years. He allowed a number of Endurance events to go ahead without accurate timing systems.
The FEI Tribunal has now suspended him until 12 April 2017, taking into account the provisional suspension imposed by the FEI Secretary General.
Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi was provisionally suspended regarding breaches of the terms of a four-year suspension imposed in March 2012 following an Equine Anti-Doping Rules violation.
Under the terms of the suspension, Mr Al Muhairi was not allowed to participate in any capacity or be present at any Event authorised or organised by the FEI, other than as a spectator.
The FEI Tribunal extended the period of ineligibility through to 21 April 2016 and ordered Mr Al Muhairi to contribute CHF 500 towards the costs of the legal procedure.
The Parties have 21 days from the date of notification (10 March 2016) to appeal the decision to Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
