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Andre Russell handed one-year ban for doping violation

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West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has been handed a one-year ban by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) for his failure to notify his whereabouts on three occasions in 2015. The ban will run from Jan 31, 2017 to Jan 30, 2018, and will put the brakes on the T20 professional's career.

Russell has been an integral part of West Indies T20 side and plays in several T20 leagues. The verdict was announced by JADCO in March 2016 after the West Indies' triumphant run in the World T20 in India. Russell pleaded not guilty, saying he was unable to file his whereabouts owing to his busy cricketing commitments. The Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder also said that he hasn't been taught to file whereabouts. 

Patrick Foster, Russell's lawyer, said they would file an appeal. "Relieved it's one year, but not two years," Foster told Reuters. "But I genuinely thought given the circumstances and the evidence that was before the panel that he would have been exonerated."

In a statement, Foster also said: "Mr. Russell and his legal team are carefully reading and reviewing the ruling as regards the next steps and the possibility of an early appeal of the decision of the Panel's ruling. While we respect the ruling, we respectfully disagree with it and are very disappointed that the Panel saw it fit to impose a one-year ineligibility period.

"Throughout his career as an international and domestic T20 cricketer, Mr. Russell has been tested on many occasions by various anti-doping agencies/bodies in several countries pursuant to WADA guidelines and he has never registered an adverse analytical finding.

"Mr Russell is a 'clean athlete' who seeks to uphold the integrity of cricket. He respects and makes every effort to be compliant with the rules of sport generally, cricket and to comply with anti-doping rules and procedures. Our client will continue to cooperate fully with the Jadco and Wada."

Russell, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, was instrumental in the Sydney Thunder’s triumphant run in the Big Bash League in 2015-16, and was also a part of the inaugural Pakistan Super League champions Islamabad United. He has also been part of title-winning squads with Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League.

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