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Narsingh Yadav is innocent, says WFI president Brij Bhusan Saran

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 25 July 2016, 13:58 IST

The Wrestling Federation of India has backed Narsingh, who failed a dope test recently, by supporting his claim of conspiracy.

"We believe Narsingh Yadav is innocent. He has complained that something was mixed in his food when it was being cooked," said WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan in a press conference, adding, "We have sought a chance from FILA (international body), we want Narsingh to get justice."

Bhusan Sharan also said, "SAI DG Injeti Srinivas had warned Narsingh from training at Sonepat Centre."

With Narsingh Yadav's roommate Sandeep Yadav at the SAI Sonepat camp also testing positive for the same banned substance, WFI said it strengthens the conspiracy theory and indicates towards a clear case of sabotage.

"The fact that Narsingh's teammate at the camp has also tested positive for the same substance, it clearly looks to be foul play. Both wrestlers were consuming the same supplements as they were roommates. It arouses suspicion," WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar said earlier today.

"There was a high quantity of steroid in the sample, which is hard to believe. It seems like a deliberate thing.

Why would anyone take such high dose," he questioned.

Asked if anyone else in the camp has also failed the dope test, the official replied in the negative.

"No. Only these two guys have failed it and this clearly indicates that something is wrong."

NADA Director General Navin Agarwal yesterday confirmed that Narsingh's 'B' sample tested positive for a banned substance. Sources said he had tested positive for methandienone -- a banned anabolic steroid.

With his Olympic dreams in jeopardy after the failed dope test, Narsingh claimed innocence, saying the entire episode was a conspiracy against him.

"This is a conspiracy against me. I have never taken any banned substance," he said.

Narsingh, who was picked ahead of double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar to represent India at the Rio Games in the 74kg Freestyle category, has been handed provisional suspension and virtually ruled out of next month's Olympics.

The 26-year-old wrestler's Olympics accreditation has also been withheld.

The WFI also cried foul, claiming Narsingh has a clean history and it was a clear case of sabotage.

On the basis of Narsingh bagging the 74kg Olympic quota berth with a World Championships bronze last year, WFI had named him to represent India at the Rio Games and Sushil's demands for a trial were rejected by the Federation as well as the Delhi High Court after a lengthy legal battle.

First published: 25 July 2016, 13:58 IST