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22 October 2026
The ITA, on behalf of WBSC, confirms that Emerson Rafael Martinez Franco, a baseball player from Colombia, has agreed¹ to the consequences for his anti-doping rule violation (ADRV).
As reported earlier, the player tested positive for metabolites of stanozolol after providing samples on 3 and 8 March 2026 during the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The player was provisionally suspended with effect from 30 March 2026.
The player did not request the analysis of either B sample within the applicable deadlines. He did not challenge the ADRV and agreed with the consequences for his ADRV under the WBSC anti-doping rules as proposed by the ITA. Accordingly, the case was resolved via an acceptance of consequences.
Due to his early admission of the ADRV, the player was entitled to a one-year reduction of the applicable period of ineligibility as set forth in article 10.8.1 of the WBSC anti-doping rules.²
The 3-year period of ineligibility is from 30 March 2026 until 29 March 2029. Additionally, the player’s individual results at the 2026 World Baseball Classic are disqualified, including forfeiture of medals, points and prizes. All other competitive results obtained by the player from the date of the first sample collection (3 March 2026) until the date of provisional suspension (30 March 2026) are also disqualified.
The decision may be challenged before the appeals division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) by the parties with a right of appeal in accordance with Article 13.2.3 of the WBSC anti-doping rules.
¹ 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 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, which is deemed an WBSC/ITA decision.
² Article 10.8.1 of the WBSC anti-doping rules (and World Anti-Doping Code) provides for a one-year reduction for certain ADRVs based on early admission and acceptance of sanction. This applies where a player after being notified by WBSC/ITA of a potential ADRV that carries an asserted period of Ineligibility of four (4) or more years, admits the violation and accepts the asserted period of Ineligibility no later than twenty (20) days after receiving notice of an ADRV charge. Where the player receives the one-year reduction under Article 10.8.1, of the WBSC anti-doping rules no further reduction in the period of Ineligibility is allowed.
