Quote: nottinghamtiger "Hardaker’s mental health issues go back a very long way. He was diagnosed with a MH condition years ago and has been taking medication (when he remembered) for years, as made clear in the judgement.
My bemusement is that this isn’t what the panel used to justify a lesser ban. They gave him a shorter ban because he was intoxicated when he took cocaine. They panel have even said it was lucky he took cocaine and not more alcohol.
To be honest, I would not be surprised if UKAD don’t appeal the ban. It’s opened the door for anyone who gets caught to say they were intoxicated at the time and get a lesser suspension.'"
I've not seen the judgement, but these things often only get released after the deadline for an appeal has passed.
As you say, the reasons for mitigation are somewhat bizarre and as I said earlier some recent judgements have opened up several cans of worms for future cases.