By Erik Gudris | Saturday, May 14, 2016
Maria Sharapova is expected to face a hearing next week over her use of a banned substance.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
A hearing on Maria Sharapova and her use of the banned substance Meldonium is expected to take place next week in London.
Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated and other reliable sources posted on social media that May 18th will be the day the hearing will take place.
In January, the Russian superstar tested positive at the Australian Open for Meldonium that was just recently added to WADA’s banned substance list. On March 7th, Sharapova announced the results in public saying she had taken the drug for a variety of health issues.
Sharapova was given a provisional suspension until the hearing about the case took place. After the hearing, which is expected to take one or two days, the final verdict on Sharapova will be given sometime in June.
Though there’s a possibility of Sharapova suffering a four-year ban, recent statements by WADA that they would grant amnesty to those who posted recent failed tests for the substance suggest she might get a lesser sentence.
The former No. 1 has kept busy off-court including announcing the launch of her new chocolate candy line and attending the recent Met Gala in New York.
Sharapova, who was unable to defend her title at this week’s Italian Open, posted this message from her fans on Twitter at the event.