The hearing convened by the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel into the allegation that West Indies cricketer Andre Russell violated a whereabouts clause is scheduled to continue this morning at 10:00.
It is to be held at Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.
The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) is accusing Russell of failing to file his whereabouts on three occasions during a 12-month period. The dates listed are January 1, 2015, July 1, 2015, and July 25, 2015.
Queen’s Counsel Patrick Foster, who is the lead attorney representing the Jamaican Russell, has sought to remove blame of negligence on the cricketer’s part for the alleged whereabouts violation. Thus far throughout the hearing, Foster, who has extensively probed the basis of the last two purported filing failures which both fall in the July to September quarter, argues that proper procedure was not followed.
The respondent’s legal team, in presenting its case to the disciplinary panel, had Russell, 28, as its first witness.
But it was the debate over the use of mobile devices while in session that was threatened to overshadow the day’s proceedings.
Foster and Robinson engaged in a vigorous verbal exchange after the latter charged that Russell’s legal team was using mobile phones in contravention of the rules established by the panel.
Foster said that the powered-on devices were being used to acquire information from JADCO’s website and not for cross-examination of any witness.
The panel’s chairman Hugh Faulkner, after allowing each side to provide counter arguments on a number of occasions, urged the need for fairness. He ruled that any material that can be used to advance the case should not be ruled out, but he insisted upon both sides acting within limitations set by the panel.
Under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations three alleged whereabouts filing failures amount to a failed test.
WADA rules require that athletes make their whereabouts known to local anti-doping agencies to facilitate testing. An athlete may face a ban of up to 24 months if found in violation.
Russell, a highly regarded all-rounder, has represented Twenty20 (T20) cricket franchises in India, Australia, Bangladesh, and England.
He was a key member of the West Indies team that won the 2016 T20 Cricket World Cup in India in April.
Russell also helped Jamaica Tallawahs to cop the Caribbean Premier League T20 title for a second time in August.