Chris Kirkland strongly criticizes the decision made by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to delay the ban on tramadol until 2024. Kirkland, a former Liverpool and England goalkeeper who struggled with tramadol addiction, compares the painkiller to cocaine in terms of its dangerous nature. He believes that the ban should be implemented much sooner, stating that it doesn’t take two years to wean people off the drug. Kirkland, who has been clean for five months, emphasizes the urgency of banning tramadol to protect athletes.
WADA’s executive committee chose to delay the ban in order to facilitate better communication and education about the drug for athletes, their support systems, and medical personnel. However, this decision has faced criticism due to the significant harm tramadol can cause to athletes. The ban would prevent tramadol from being used in competition, eliminating the practice of using it for pain management or performance enhancement. However, it would not address off-competition usage or addiction-related issues.
Player unions have requested that WADA treat tramadol as a “drug of abuse” rather than a performance-enhancer. They advocate for lighter sanctions for those caught using the drug in competition. The Professional Footballers’ Association’s director of player welfare, Dr. Michael Bennett, highlights the problems related to tramadol addiction in the lives of players, both during and after their careers. The PFA believes that the delay in implementing the ban can be used as an opportunity to evaluate tramadol usage and support affected individuals.
The concerns surrounding the ban include the consequences for players who test positive after it comes into effect. Given the addictive nature of tramadol, player welfare organizations argue for a more compassionate and supportive approach to any sanctions. They also seek clarity on how the ban can be effectively enforced and measured during competitions.
Tramadol, known to cause side effects like nausea, drowsiness, and loss of concentration, has been on WADA’s monitoring program for ten years. Pressure has been mounting to include it in the prohibited list, including from UK Anti-Doping. The Union Cycliste International (UCI) banned tramadol in 2019, following the lead of Team Sky. Tramadol came under scrutiny when Nairo Quintana was retrospectively penalized at the Tour de France for having the drug in his system. Quintana denies taking tramadol and has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The UCI’s penalties currently only result in disqualification from specific events rather than imposing bans for tramadol-related transgressions.
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