Agencies

Mumbai, Jul 14: Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi has confirmed that a player tested positive in the World Anti-Doping Agency 's random dope test, conducted during the inaugural Twenty20 tournament in India.

However, he insisted that it is too early to say if the player failed the drug test, as there are several procedures to be followed to get to a conclusion.

A cricket website had earlier claimed that a player from subcontinent had failed the random dope test.

"Two days ago the IPL received a letter from a Swiss agency, mandated by WADA, which said one sample had tested positive. The IPL will follow set procedures from now on," Modi said.

Describing the procedure, Modi said, first of all, the identity of the player with the sample has to be matched. Then the form, which the player filled before the tournament will be scrutinised for any pre-declared or prescribed drug. And if that matches the drug found in the sample, the matter ends there.

In case that does not happen, the player is informed and a 'B' sample is sent for testing. If that, too, is positive the matter will be taken up by the IPL's drugs tribunal.

The tribunal will consist of a leading doctor, a former cricketer and a lawyer. The committee will study the issue and take a decision, for which there will be a separate appeals tribunal.

"This is just the procedure. As of now we are at the first stage where one sample has tested positive. The issue is now with the IPL's medical committee. The identity of the player will matter only after we check on the pre-declared drugs," he said.

Meanwhile, The International Cricket Council confirmed the finding and urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India to strictly follow the procedures.

"The ICC is aware of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) from the recently-concluded IPL," it said in a statement.

"As with any AAF that arises during a testing programme organised by one of the ICC's members, it is the responsibility of that member, in this case the BCCI, to deal with the process in a timely and fair manner.

"The ICC is proud of its status as a WADA signatory and will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure the correct action is taken by the BCCI.

"The ICC retains a right of appeal if any penalty that may be imposed is inconsistent with the WADA Code."