A New Zealand cyclist convicted of doping will have to re-start his ban from the sport after the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland upheld a decision by Drug Free Sport New Zealand who found he coached two young cyclists while suspended.
Murray had initially been banned from all sport for two years by the New Caledonia Anti-Doping Commission in 2014, following a positive test for nandrolone and testosterone while competing.
This CAS decision has found that in 2014-2015 Murray was coaching two young athletes while serving the ban which .
Murray will now to to restart his two-year ban from all sport following the ruling although he is entitled to receive credit for the period of time he served under provisional suspension, prior to the original Sports Tribunal hearing.
Karl Murray competing in the Tour of Southland in 2009. Photo: Photosport
"No-one is above the rules and Mr Murray's conduct has been particularly egregious given the involvement of young athletes. When an athlete or support person deliberately breaks the rules, we are duty bound to take action against them," DFSNZ chief executive Nick Paterson said.
"At the time Mr Murray's initial ban was recognised, it was made very clear to him that coaching or training any cyclists who are bound to the NZ Sports Anti-Doping Rules would be in breach of his ban," he says.
"We have spent a considerable amount of time and resources investigating this matter and it would have been impossible to prove without the cooperation and commitment of key witnesses who persisted through two disciplinary processes."
DFSNZ appealed the case to CAS after the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand found in favour of Murray last year.
Murray has subsequently returned another positive test for the prohibited substance clenbuterol following the Tour of Northland in March.
A decision on this matter is expected from the Sports Tribunal early next year.