Maria Sharapova's failed drug test at the Australian Open was revealed to the world on Monday at one of sport's more dramatic press conferences.
The Russian was charged with an anti-doping violation by the International Tennis Federation on March 2 and has accepted a provisional suspension, which will begin on March 12.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at how proceedings will unfold from here.
- Assuming Sharapova exercises her right to a hearing, a preliminary meeting with the ITF and its legal representatives and the player and her legal representatives will take place no more than 21 days after the notice of charge. In this case, on or before March 23.
- At this meeting, a date will be set for the hearing by an independent tribunal that will decide the outcome of the case. This must be at least 21 days after the preliminary meeting - unless the parties consent to a shorter period - and within 60 days of the date when the player requested a hearing.
- Between the meeting and the hearing, the ITF will submit a brief with the issues it wishes to raise and statements from each witness it intends to call. Sharapova can then submit an answering brief, with the ITF permitted to reply to that.
- Tribunal hearings take place in London. The ITF and player have the right to be present and heard at the hearing and to have legal representation. Representatives of the WTA and Grand Slam Board may also attend as observers. The ITF has the burden of establishing that an anti-doping violation has been committed.
- Once the parties have completed their submissions, the tribunal will retire to deliberate in private. Any decision that a violation has taken place must be unanimous.
- The tribunal will announce its decision and any sanctions imposed in writing within 14 days of the conclusion of the hearing. The maximum suspension for failing a test for meldonium is four years. Any ban would start from the beginning of the provisional suspension.
- The player, the ITF and the World Anti-Doping Agency all have the right to appeal the decision and sanctions imposed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The deadline for filing an appeal is 21 days from the receipt of the decision.
Source: PA
