Kusal Perera hires UK-based law firm to defend doping charges

Thursday, 5 May 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

PkO (Mumbai): Kusal Perera, who has been suspended for the alleged doping offence has hired a team of UK lawyers, it is learnt here. According to the sources in England, the 26-year-old left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper has sought the services of a law firm called Morgan Sports Law.

Perera’s urine sample, which was collected in an out of completion test on October 12, 2015, was found to be having a Prohibited Substance (in the category of non-Specified Substances) and was immediately withdrawn from the New Zealand tour. He has been suspended till the enquirers are completed. The law firm hired by the player is devoted to sports arbitration and litigation with a team of lawyers known in particular for their expertise in cases involving doping and corruption and sporting frauds. The firm will be representing Perera at the ICC hearings.

Interestingly, Perera, in its bid to prove innocence, also gave polygraph and hair tests. The polygraph tests were conducted in Dubai. Apparently, he may be the first international cricketer to have given polygraph tests for doping offence. It may however be noted here that the former Australian captain Steve Waugh did voluntarily give these lie-detector tests when he was a member of the MCC’s World Cricket Committee. But that was as a part of his bid to help root corruption out of cricket. The results of the polygraph tests will be defended by Perera’s lawyers. Perera was taking some native treatment for his wounds and it is to be seen how the banned substance was found in his body. Perera will be in deep trouble if had lied so far, but otherwise will be backed by his employers, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The officials of the SLC are hoping the player is innocent.