Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has been charged with a second doping offense.
The charge relates to ‘irregularities in her athlete biological passport’.
Halep has been provisionally suspended since October last year having tested positive for banned substance roxadustat at the US Open.
Roxadustat stimulates production of hemoglobin and red blood cells.
The two charges which Halep is faced with are separate from each other.
Nicole Sapstead, Senior Director for Anti-Doping at the ITIA, said: ‘We understand that today’s announcement adds complexity to an already high-profile situation. From the outset of this process – and indeed any other at the ITIA – we have remained committed to engaging with Ms. Halep in an empathetic, efficient, and timely manner.
‘We do, of course, appreciate there is a great deal of media interest in these cases. It would be inappropriate for us to comment on specifics until the conclusion of the process, but we will continue to engage with the Sport Resolutions independent tribunal and Ms. Halep’s representatives as expeditiously as possible.’
Halep denies having taken a banned substance. She also stated that she has evidence that shows that low quantities of roxadustat entered her body due to an authorised substance which was contaminated.
Halep told Tennis Majors: ‘I didn’t want to get out and talk because it was very emotional.
‘Actually, I couldn’t handle it very well. But now I feel the need to speak out loud to my supporters, my fans, and to the public because I am sure they really want to know why it’s taking so long and I really felt the need to do that.
