Conor Benn could still be hit by a two-year ban for positive drugs tests under UK Anti-Doping rules

Conor Benn could still receive a ban of up to two years for his positive drug tests despite being allowed to return to the World Boxing Council rankings this week.

The verdict of the WBC, which accepted Benn’s explanation that his failed clomiphene tests may have been caused by the consumption of a large number of suppositories, has been met with disbelief from many within the sport.

But Sportsmail understands that UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Control Board are continuing to investigate, and more importantly, UKAD has scope to further explore the matter under its rules.

Although the two positives in July and September of last year were carried out by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, the complex case remains the responsibility of UKAD. Under UKAD rules, there are 11 areas in which an athlete can commit an anti-doping violation and it is understood that Benn’s case could fall under its article 2.2.1, on “Use or attempted use by an athlete of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method”. ‘.

In that scenario, its rules point to strict liability, stating: ‘It is the personal duty of each athlete to ensure that no prohibited substance enters his body… Consequently, it is not necessary to demonstrate intent, fault, negligence or knowing use in the part of the athlete to establish an anti-doping rule violation.’

Conor Benn could still receive a ban of up to two years for his positive drug tests

The WBC found that high consumption of eggs could have led to its first failed drug test

Crucially, the WBC applied a different standard around the issue of intent, writing in its controversial statement on Wednesday that “there was no conclusive evidence that Mr. Benn knowingly or intentionally ingested clomiphene.”

Anti-doping sources say that while UKAD would not have to prove intent, they would possibly have to bear the burden of having to disprove that the eggs could cause Benn’s positive tests. To that end, it will be noted that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says that clomiphene is not licensed for use in animals in the UK.

If UKAD ultimately charges Benn and finds him guilty, the ban for a first offense would be up to two years.

It is understood that they will not be able to pursue a violation for “Presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers in an athlete’s sample”, as VADA is not a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency, but Sportsmail has previously been told that VADA is not would face no barrier in delivering its findings and analysis.

British Boxing Board General Secretary Robert Smith previously noted the lack of cooperation from Benn’s team in their efforts to secure evidence they shared with the WBC investigation, whose mandate was limited simply to whether the boxer from 26 years old could return to his rankings.

In an interview last April, Benn did not reveal that she eats eggs when discussing her diet.

In response to the WBC’s announcement on Wednesday, Smith wrote: “The UK Anti-Doping Rules make clear what conduct constitutes an Anti-Doping Rule Violation as defined in those rules (and the World Anti-Doping Code) and specifically states the circumstances in which such breaches may be committed by way of strict liability.’

Interestingly, an interview with Benn from the April issue of GQ has been circulating on social media since the WBC verdict, in which he went into great detail about his diet with only a passing reference to eggs.

As he bulked up to fight Chris Eubank Jr at a higher weight, he claimed in interviews after we broke the news of his test positive that he was eating up to 34 eggs a week.

There was no response from Benn’s team when asked by Sportsmail on Thursday if they would cooperate with the UKAD investigation.

Benn has long insisted that he is innocent.