Merab Sharikadze and six teammates suspended after investigation into urine sample swapping and advance test warnings.
2:34 PM
Former Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze has been banned from sport for 11 years following World Rugby's investigation into a scheme involving urine sample swaps and advance warnings of anti-doping tests, the governing body announced Tuesday.
Six other Georgian players and a medical official also received suspensions. Giorgi Chkoidze was banned for six years, Lasha Khmaladze, Otar Lashkhi and Miriani Modebadze each for three years, and Lasha Lomidze for nine months. Dr Nutsa Shamatava, Georgia's national team doctor, received a nine-year ban.
The investigation, described by World Rugby as the most extensive anti-doping investigation ever undertaken in rugby union, spanned four years and was conducted in collaboration with the World Anti-Doping Agency. It found that Shamatava provided advance warnings of doping controls to a squad group chat on eight instances in the period leading up to the 2023 men's World Cup.
Sharikadze, 32, admitted to providing clean urine to three teammates to help them avoid positive tests. The investigation revealed that Georgia's national testing authority would alert Shamatava about forthcoming tests, and she would then share the information via the team group chat and organize sample exchanges.
The scheme involved the concealment of non-performance-enhancing substances including cannabis and tramadol. World Rugby found no firm proof of attempts to mask performance-enhancing drugs, though the governing body had initially investigated that possibility.
Sharikadze captained Georgia to a 13-12 victory over Wales in Cardiff in 2022 and earned more than 100 caps for the national team. He led Georgia at the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023.
World Rugby flagged anomalies in samples that prompted the broader investigation into the Georgian team's testing practices.
The International Olympic Committee ended recommended restrictions on Belarus, allowing athletes to compete under their own flag. Russia remains restricted.
Coach Sergej Barbarez named 26 players Monday, making Bosnia the first nation to reveal its roster for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Nessy Guerra, 26, from Sanremo, was convicted on appeal of adultery—a crime that has not existed in Italy for nearly 60 years.
The Welsh midfielder, 39, will end her 14-year career with the NWSL club at season's end, the only remaining player from the team's 2013 inaugural roster.
The 18-year-old Spanish forward sustained a left hamstring injury Wednesday but is expected to recover in time for the World Cup.
Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh thanked Australia for protection and expressed hope to continue sporting careers after being granted humanitarian visas.
