Conor Benn is CHARGED by UKAD over his two positive drugs tests

04/20/2023

Conor Benn is CHARGED by UKAD over his two positive drugs tests that scrapped his bout against Chris Eubank Jr last October with the fighter facing a TWO-YEAR ban if he is found guilty… as he claims the news is ‘another attempt to create a headline’

Conor Benn has been formally charged by UKAD after failing two drugs tests
The 26-year-old fighter is facing a two-year ban from the sport if found guilty
He twice tested positive for clomifene but has always pleaded his innocence

Conor Benn is facing a potential two-year ban after being formally charged by UK Anti-Doping over his two positive drugs tests.

Mail Sport revealed on Tuesday that the fighter had done a U-turn on his decision to withhold evidence from investigators and is currently serving a temporary suspension.

UKAD has now confirmed the 26-year-old has been charged under article 2.2 of their rules for ‘use’.

‘Following reports in the media and comments made by professional boxer Mr Conor Benn on Tuesday 18 April 2023, and in exceptional circumstances, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) confirms that Mr Benn was notified and provisionally suspended by UKAD on 15 March 2023 in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules.

‘Whilst provisionally suspended Mr Benn is prohibited from participating in any capacity (or assisting another Athlete in any capacity) in a Competition, Event or activity that is organised, convened, authorised or recognised by the British Boxing Board of Control or any other World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport.

Conor Benn has been formally charged by UKAD after twice failing a drugs test last year

His positive tests for clomifene led to his bout against Chris Eubank Jr being scrapped last year

‘UKAD can also confirm that on 3 April 2023 it charged Mr Benn with an Article 2.2 violation for the alleged Use of a Prohibited Substance (clomifene). The charge against Mr Benn is pending and will now follow the Results Management process in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules.

‘UKAD issues this statement in accordance with its Policy on Public disclosure of provisional suspensions and charges and Articles 7.10.7 and 7.11.5 of the UK Anti-Doping Rules. UKAD will not be providing any further comment at this stage.’

Benn was quick to play down the significance of the latest development on Twitter, saying it was ‘another attempt to create a headline’, insisting it was simply the start of a process and that he had not been sanctioned.

‘Another day, another attempt to create a headline with my name,’ he said. ‘I am involved in a confidential procedure and I have respected my confidentiality obligations. Yet each day brings a new leak and a misrepresentation of what’s actually happening.

‘There is no news. Being “charged” is a start of a process by which an athlete has to defend themselves. I have not been sanctioned by anyone & I’m not banned from boxing. I remain free to fight in events that are not sanctioned by the BBBoC. I don’t even have a BBBoC licence.’

Benn has always maintained his innocence, often calling himself a ‘clean athlete’ and recently appearing on Piers Morgan to reveal how the ordeal left him with suicidal thoughts.

In February he was cleared by the WBC over intentional doping – ruling that the positive test could have come from a high consumption of eggs.

However, UKAD’s ongoing investigation – coupled with his ban by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) meant that he was unable to fight in the UK, but instead had been seeking to set up his next fight abroad.

Benn has always stressed his innocence and was cleared by the WBC in Feburary – though he remained under investigation and banned by the BBBofC

Benn remains adamant that he is free to fight on foreign shores despite the suspension

This week Mail Sport revealed that Benn had been provisionally suspended by UKAD – with the fighter informed of the decision last month.

Benn has still been planning to go ahead with a summer fight in Abu Dhabi on June 3, but Under UKAD rules – which are followed by the Board of Control – those parties could ultimately lose their Board licence if they proceed.

In response to news of his provisional suspension, Benn pointed to Amir Khan’s recent doping ban, which only came to light 14 months after a positive test.

Benn wrote on Twitter: ‘I can’t comment on anything to do with UKAD other than to say that I am in touch with them. Someone at the BBBoC or UKAD obviously wanted to create a headline unlike the Khan case where it was kept quiet for 14 months but this is nothing new. I remain free to fight outside the UK.’

He added: ‘This isn’t even about my innocence anymore, it’s all politics. You can’t keep a good man down.’

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