CAS: Andrea Iannone appeal decision in 'mid-November'

Andrea Iannone faces a further one month wait to hear the final verdict on his MotoGP future.

The Italian's appeal against an 18-month ban handed down by the FIM was heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday.

Most estimates were that a verdict would be available after one week, but a CAS statement said: "The panel of arbitrators will now deliberate and finalise the Arbitral Award containing their decision. It is expected to be notified by mid-November 2020."

That timeframe would mean, even if the Italian is successful, he might only return in time for the Portimao season finale on November 20-22.

Iannone, who says he accidentally ingested the prohibited steroid drostanolone from eating contaminated meat during last year's Malaysian Grand Prix weekend, is seeking to have the 18-month ban (starting from November 2019) annulled.

However, WADA is pushing for the punishment to be increased to a four-year ban, which would surely end the 31-year-old's career.

The ongoing delay means Aprilia test rider Bradley Smith is set to continue in place of Iannone for both Aragon rounds and at least the first of the Valencia events.

'Lausanne, 16 October 2020 - The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing in the appeal arbitration procedures filed by the Italian MotoGP rider Andrea Iannone and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) took place on 15 October 2020.

'The panel of arbitrators will now deliberate and finalise the Arbitral Award containing their decision. It is expected to be notified by mid-November 2020. The final award will be announced on the CAS website.

'The proceedings concern the decision taken by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) International Disciplinary Court decision dated 31 March 2020 (the Challenged Decision) in which Andrea Iannone was found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation and an 18-month period of ineligibility was imposed on him.

'Andrea Iannone seeks to have the Challenged Decision annulled, whereas WADA requests that the Challenged Decision be replaced by a new decision imposing a four-year period of ineligibility on the rider.'