“Simona is a victim – this is a parody of justice” – Mouratoglou on Halep’s doping ban

Coach Patrick Mouratoglou has expanded on his shock at the sentence handed down to Simona Halep

Simona Halep and Patrick Mouratoglou (Zuma/Panoramic)

September 13, 2023

Patrick Mouratoglou has told CNN that Simona Halep – banned for four years for breaches of doping rules – is a victim and has not received justice.

Emphasising his continued shock at the situation, he told the news channel: “The decision is completely, for me, impossible to understand.”

He added: “During the whole year the treatment she has received is not normal, unfair, and unacceptable.

“She is a victim. She has been contaminated by a product that was supposed to be clean so she is literally a victim. When you are a victim and you are entering in this process with the ITIA, it’s horrible.

“When you are provisionally suspended…you are entitled to a quick hearing. This is a parody for me. It is a parody of justice.”

The ITIA announced its verdict on Tuesday, finding that the Romanian had breached doping rules due to the presence of roxadustat in her sample and due to irregularities in her athlete biological passport.