Sydney, Aug 07: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Dick Pound has severely criticised the role of Australian Cricketers Association in allowing "cheater" Shane Warne to play in charity matches and train with the Australian team. "It (ACA) is doing everything in its power to allow a cheater to play. It is absolutely anti-ethical and against the spirit of the game," Pound said.
Warne was given permission to play in charity matches and train with the team after the Australian Cricketers' Association sought clarification from the Australian Cricket Board over the exact nature of the ban. An arbitrator subsequently ruled that the legal association between the players and Cricket Australia meant Warne, serving a 12-month ban from international cricket till February 10, 2004 for taking a banned drug, was only banned from official matches.
The WADA hit out against the ruling and has stepped up the pressure on the Australian government to ensure that the ban is fully enforced. "It is bizarre. A ban means not participating in any form. It is not a ban if he is training or playing - a ban means not participating in any form," David Howman, chief executive of WADA was quoted as saying by a news daily. Bureau Report