Back
16 June 2025
The ITA confirms that Mr. Francisco Acuña Rocha was tested positive for Carboxy-THC following an in-competition doping control on 28 October 2023 during the XIX Pan-American Games Santiago 2023 in Santiago, Chile. This control was performed under the testing and results management authority of the Panam Sports Organization (Panam Sports).¹
Carboxy-THC is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S8. Cannabinoids. It is prohibited in-competition and is classified as a specified substance. Carboxy-THC is also considered as a substance of abuse as per the WADA Prohibited List.
On 29 July 2024, Panam Sports informed the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) that it had issued a decision against Mr. Francisco Acuña Rocha, confirming that the athlete had committed an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) under Article 2.1 of the Panam Sports anti-doping rules for the presence of Carbox-THC in his sample and disqualifying his results obtained at the XIX Pan-American Games Santiago 2023 in Santiago, Chile.
Thereafter, as per Article 7.1.1 of the Panam Sports anti-doping rules, the case was referred to the WBSC for determination of the applicable consequences under the WBSC anti-doping rules.
The ITA, on behalf of WBSC, now confirms that the athlete has agreed² to the consequences imposed for his ADRV.
The athlete did not challenge his ADRV and agreed with the consequences that apply, namely a period of ineligibility of two years from 22 May 2025 until 21 May 2027 and disqualification of competitive results from 28 October 2023 onwards.
Parties with a right of appeal may challenge the consequences imposed before the appeals division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in accordance with article 13.2.3 of the WBSC anti-doping rules.
The ITA will not comment further on this case.
¹ As per Article 7.1.1 of the Panam Sports anti-doping rules, Panam Sports is responsible for results management for consequences in relation to an Event conducted by Panam Sports, such as the XIX Pan-American Games Santiago 2023. This includes the automatic disqualification of individual results with all resulting Consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, diplomas, points and prizes. Further, as per Article 7.1.1 of the Panam Sports anti-doping rules, “For completion of Results Management, Panam Sports shall refer the case to the applicable International Federation”, i.e. in this case the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
² Athletes have the right to choose not to have their case referred to a hearing panel. In these instances, the anti-doping organisation will assess the athlete’s case file and establish the applicable consequences pursuant to the anti-doping rules and the athlete will have the right to accept the proposed consequences. If the athlete refuses the proposed consequences, the case is transferred to a hearing panel. This resolution mechanism is provided for in articles 8.3.1 and 8.3.3 of the WBSC anti-doping rules and 8.3 of the World Anti-Doping Code and is commonly referred to as an agreement on consequences and is deemed an WBSC/ITA decision. The athlete’s National Anti-Doping Organisation and the World Anti-Doping Agency have the right to appeal the agreement on consequences before the competent appeal body.
