Jamaica Scorpions captain and fly-half John Campbell drives during a match in the 2022 four-day regional competition. (Photo: CWI Media)
The disciplinary hearing to determine whether Jamaican and West Indian cricketer John Campbell refused to provide a test sample to representatives of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) began on Wednesday.
The Jamaica Observer learned that the hearing, before an independent anti-doping panel consisting of Chairman Kent Gammon, Dr. Marjorie Vassell and Dean Martin, lasted approximately four hours behind closed doors at an undisclosed location in the corporate area.
Attorney Andre Sheckleford reportedly made submissions on behalf of JADCO.
In a recent press release, the West Indies West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) said Campbell, a left opening batsman, was represented by attorneys Ayana Thomas and Mark-Paul Cowan of Nunes, Scholefield, DeLeon & Co. .
WIPA President Wavell Hinds and JADCO Executive Director June Spence-Jarrett reportedly attended Wednesday’s hearing. The hearing is due to resume Thursday at 10 a.m.
The Observer could not confirm what evidence has been presented so far, but the allegation is that the 28-year-old refused to provide a sample to JADCO doping control officers on April 20.
An athlete could be found to be in anti-doping rule violation for “evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection”, and if found guilty could be banned for up to four year.
The Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee had previously set hearing dates for July 19 and August 2, but both times the hearing was adjourned. The preliminary hearing took place on July 6.
Campbell, an outstanding batsman as a young national player, moved up to the senior team, making his first-class debut for Jamaica against Guyana in 2014. He averages 30.41 in first-class cricket.
He played his first Test for the West Indies in 2019 and, after 20 matches, he is averaging 26.11 with three half centuries. In the two-Test series victory over Bangladesh in June, Campbell showed signs of mastering international cricket, averaging 68 with a best of 58 not out.
In six one-day internationals for the West Indies, he averaged 49.6 with a best of 179 against Ireland.
—Sanjay Myers
