Former Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman found GUILTY of ordering banned testosterone ‘knowing or believing’ it would be used to dope a rider in damaging verdict for the sport
- Ex-British Cycling and Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman, 61, was found guilty of ordering a banned testosterone ‘knowing or believing’ it was to be used to dope a rider
- Freeman had denied knowing or believing it’d be used to improve athletic performance, claiming it was intended to treat a member of staff’s erectile dysfunction
- However, the Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal Service dismissed that this morning
- The bombshell verdict raises serious question over the success of both teams
Former chief doctor of British Cycling and Team Sky Richard Freeman has been found guilty of ordering banned testosterone ‘knowing or believing’ it was to be used to dope a rider.
In a bombshell verdict that will send shockwaves through the sport and raise serious questions over the success of both teams, the Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal Service handed down their ruling at the long-running hearing in Manchester this morning.
Freeman, 61, admitted ordering the substance to the Manchester Velodrome HQ of both teams in May 2011, and masterminding a botched cover-up. However, he denied he had placed the order ‘knowing or believing’ it was to be given to an unnamed rider to improve their athletic performance.
Dr Richard Freeman (second left) has been found guilty of ordering banned testosterone ‘knowing or believing’ it was to be given to a rider to improve their athletic performance
The doctor worked for Team Sky (pictured) and British Cycling between 2010 and 2017
Dubbed ‘the Gold Medal factory’, the verdict have called into question both teams’ success
Freeman claimed he ordered the testosterone at the request of former coach Shane Sutton to treat his erectile dysfunction – claims that the Australian angrily denied
Instead, he claimed it was ordered at the request of former coach Shane Sutton, to treat the Australian’s erectile dysfunction – claims Sutton angrily denied.
But the MPTS have dismissed that theory in an incredibly damaging morning for Team Sky, now Team Ineos, and British Cycling.
Announcing the verdict the chair of the MPTS, Neil Dalton said: ‘The tribunal had found that you, Dr Freeman placed the order, and obtained the Testoel, knowing or believing it was to be administered to an athlete to improve their athletic performance. The motive for your action was to conceal a conduct.’
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