Thomastearns wrote: ↑09 Nov 2017, 19:10
Seriously, given Tyson Fury's record on previous statements, does anyone here believe him or anything he says?
Sure, there is a rule of law and protocols to follow, and it may be the case that it can't be proven that he deliberately used PEDs, but does anyone really believe him? After all his trials and tribulations, can he even believe himself?
Finding loopholes is very lucrative whilst being clean has no reward outside your own conscience. In fact being clean will put you at a clear psychological disadvantage if you remotely suspect that your opponent is not. The fact is he tested positive, he doesn't deny it, its only his culpability that needs to be judged and sentenced.
Millionaire sport stars, especially when they have the sanctioning authorities behind them (!?), are impossible to punish adequately, whilst others can get a slap on the wrist. There's been far too much premature talk by various vested interests of the big fights he will be involved in once he returns. We need to first know whether he been cheating. Far too many criminals hide behind the law already, is Tyson Fury another one?
Athletics has been brought to its knees over this issue and still can't get it sorted - but in athletics you lose the race, sometimes medals and money. In boxing you can also get your face and body smashed in. The accidental ingestion of PEDs excuse is fast becoming redundant. Everyone in sport knows that they have to take responsibility for what they eat, drink or inject.
This is an hugely important test case for UKAD and the integrity of UK sport.
Let's not get too distracted about whether Tyson Fury is guilty or innocent of being a drug cheat, because I feel it's irrelevant.
The fact remains is that Ukad detected Tyson Fury's defective sample during February 2015, the fighter was suspended pending Ukad's hearing in June 2016 (he was briefly suspended the previous year for the same issue relating to the same defective sample) and Ukad postponed their hearing during May 2017, without rescheduling it. So Tyson's hearing won't take place until next year... there isn't even a date for it.
Even if Tyson Fury is guilty, he has already served an excessively severe punishment (that far exceeds the usual ban imposed on boxers found guilty of similar infractions), with Ukad/BBBofC having handled his case in an appalling manner.
The fact that Ukad are seeking funding to underwrite the possibility of being sued by Tyson Fury for loss of earnings, which the 'Gypsy King' should be able to do even if he's deemed guilty of consuming PED's, means that they already concede the likelihood that they've mishandled the situation.
Three questions/tests need to be considered:
Has Ukad/BBBofC handled the Tyson Fury situation in a consistent manner to how they dealt with other fighters accused of committing the same infraction?
If not, has Ukad/BBBofC treated Tyson Fury unfairly?
If so, has the consequences of Ukad/BBBofC actions resulted in Tyson Fury suffering financial and emotional harm?
The answers to these questions/tests should help explain the reason why Ukad are fearful of going bankrupt.