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Maria Sharapova banned for two years for failed drugs test but will appeal

The Russian was provisionally banned in March

BBC

8.6.2016

Maria Sharapova has been banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation for using a prohibited drug.

The Russian was provisionally banned in March after testing positive for meldonium at January's Australian Open.

The heart disease drug, which 29-year-old Sharapova says she has been taking since 2006 for health issues, became a banned substance on 1 January 2016.

The five-time Grand Slam winner said she "cannot accept" the "unfairly harsh" ban - and will appeal.

Sharapova will now challenge the suspension, which is backdated to 26 January 2016, at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas)

In a statement, she said the tribunal concluded her offence was "unintentional" and that she had not tried to use a "performance enhancing substance".

But she claimed the ITF had asked the tribunal for a four-year ban, adding that it "spent tremendous amounts of time and resources trying to prove I intentionally violated the anti-doping rules".

The tribunal ruling said Sharapova also tested positive for meldonium in an out-of competition test on 2 February, as well as in the aftermath of her Australian Open quarter-final defeat by Serena Williams on 26 January. It treated both results as a single anti-doping violation.

The London 2012 Olympic silver medallist added: "I have missed playing tennis and I have missed my amazing fans... your love and support has gotten me through these tough days.

"I intend to stand for what I believe is right and that's why I will fight to be back on the tennis court as soon as possible."