Player’s Association Wants Answers for in-Limbo John Campbell

The World Player Association, WPA, is questioning the continued delay in handing down the decision in the appeal of a four year ban on Jamaica and West Indies bater, John Campbell.

On October 8, 2022, Campbell was banned for four years for refusing to submit a blood sample in April 2022, the ban took effect retroactively from May 10, 2022.

His attorneys filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration of Sports, CAS, in December 2022.

The matter was heard before CAS in April 2023, and a decision was to be handed down on August 31, 2023.

Alrick Swaby tells us more.

This decision has now been postponed without reason six times with a new ruling date of May 31, 2024, leaving the athlete in an unacceptable state of limbo.

In a release the World Player Association, WPA, said, “Unfortunately, Mr Campbell’s case is not an isolated incident.”

The release went on to says “Countless players and athletes across codes and countries are being denied access to justice through global sport’s ineffective dispute resolution system, as enforced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

The release continued by saying, “Despite longstanding recommendations from human rights experts that CAS overhaul its processes, progress to date has been lacking.”

According to the release, “This has a devastating impact on athletes like Mr Campbell, who are often forced to abandon their short-term and precarious careers due to the time and money required to run their case.”

Player associations worldwide will continue to fight for justice on behalf of their members and athletes everywhere.

Extensive reform recommendations based on best practice standards have been tabled with the leadership of global sport’s institutions including the International Olympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency and CAS that would embed athlete rights and resolve the vast majority of cases of injustice.

It is overdue that these reforms are implemented.