FEI announces final decision in banned substance case
During the FEI tribunal, Dr Kamaal admitted that he had administered Fustex, a product that contains Propxyphene.
A two-year suspension has been imposed on Dr Pasha Syed Kamaal after a banned substance was detected at a UAE event, the FEI has confirmed.
Dr Kamaal was identified as a member of support staff in a 2012 equine anti-doping case which involved a horse ridden by HH Sheik Hazza.
Samples taken from the horse returned positive for the banned substance Propoxyphene, an opioid analgesic, and its metabolite Norpropoxyphene.
In addition to a two-year suspension, Dr Kamaal has also received a fine of CHF 2,500 and costs of CHF 1,000.
Previously, the FEI imposed a 27-month suspension on HH Sheikh Hazza as the person responsible, but this was reduced to 18 months following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
During the FEI tribunal, Dr Kamaal admitted that he had administered Fustex, an Argentinian product, to the horse the night before the event.
Used to promote muscle growth, Fustex contains Propoxyphene but it is not yet listed as an ingredient.
The FEI has since issued a statement to stakeholders urging caution over the use of Fustex. They warn that lack of knowledge is no valid excuse in any anti-doping procedures.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
