KHL bans officials, blames team for Cherepanov doping charges

The Kontinental Hockey League today took more action in the case of New York Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov, who died last year after a game for Avangard Omsk (unsettling video warning).

The KHL's press conference today in Russia offered some fascinating information and absolutely bombshells. Like the official conclusion that Alexei Cherepanov "suffered from chronic myocarditis and "the cause of his death was acute heart failure," followed by this stunner by Head of the KHL medical center Nikolai Durmanov: 

"One of the major issues confronting us was whether the team doctors knew about Cherepanov's disease. The team doctors of Avangard say that they did not know that Cherepanov had a serious heart condition. According to these doctors it is normal for professional athletes to feel unhealthy. However, we have facts, which indicate that they knew about Alexei's disease. Most likely, they did not comprehend the full seriousness of his condition, as such conditions should only be treated by experienced cardiologists. The team doctors of Avangard tried to treat Alexei on their own. What the press described as systematic doping, was an attempt to cure Alexei's heart condition."

What this does, thankfully, is help clear Cherepanov's name in the context of "doping," which obviously changed the dynamics of the tragedy when it was revealed. Whether or not you believe this is KHL spin or convenient scapegoating, this is going to be the official line going forward: That it was the team, rather than the player, that initiated the "doping."

Reading the quote from Durmanov, you can't help but think about what Nikita Filatov of the Columbus Blue Jackets told Dmitry Chesnokov in the interview we published this week. Are young Russian players really in safe hands over there?

From the interview:

You are a young player. Dave King wrote a book about his managerial experience in Russia where he said that teams pay a lot of attention to pharmacology and some questionable vitamins. Is it really true that our young players are given some substances that they don't even know what those are?

It is absolutely not true that they are injected with or given something that they know absolutely nothing about! I, for example, always refused to take something I didn't know. But if you are told that you should take or drink something, you can talk to the doctor to find out what it is that you are given. There is absolutely no problem with information. It is doctors' duty [to give that information]. But at least this was the case for me and I had no problems with it.

Makes you wonder what Cherepanov actually knew about his "treatment."

That said, the KHL deserves credit and praise for continuing to stay on this history-altering scandal and doing what it takes to get back the trust from the rest of the hockey world. It's a study of self-preservation: If the League didn't act swiftly and effectively, how many European League and NHL players would dare make the jump for the money this summer?

The full KHL press release, including bans and suspensions:

On 16 January 2009, a press conference was held in the office of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) devoted to the results of the investigation by the KHL Disciplinary Committee into the death of Avangard Omsk player, Alexei Cherepanov. The press conference was held by KHL Vice-President of hockey operations, Vladimir Shalaev, Director of KHL Legal and Corporate Services and Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Vladimir Saraev, and Head of the KHL medical center, Nikolai Durmanov.

The press conference was opened with a statement by Vladimir Shalaev:

"Since the moment of Cherepanov's death a special commission of the KHL has worked to investigate this tragic episode. The commission has gathered enough material to ensure that, we, the KHL Disciplinary Committee could take appropriate disciplinary actions against employees of the KHL responsible for this tragedy.

"The Disciplinary Committee, set up as a collegial structure, consisted of three arbitrators chaired by Vladimir Saraev, which reviewed additional materials provided by the Moscow Region Prosecutor's Office. The Committee heard testimony from witnesses, including those involved directly in the events, and Cherepanov's legal representative and legal counsel was invited to participate in the proceedings. Thus, our conclusions are objective and comprehensive.

"We confirm the following: For a year and a half Alexei Cherepanov suffered from chronic myocarditis. The cause of his death was acute heart failure. Unfortunately, after the announcement of the results of the public prosecutor's investigation, some media disseminated information that allegedly Cherepanov was doping. At that moment when the KHL mentioned this information, the conclusions of the International Anti-Doping Organization were not yet at the disposal of the KHL or investigators.

"The disciplinary committee approached the individual guilt of each participant differently. We are convinced that the following participants exhibited criminal negligence in the performance of their duties. Our sanctions are harsh, but we are confident that prosecutors in both the Omsk region and Chekhov district will also make their decision regarding this case. I believe that those responsible will receive not only sanctions regarding their future participation in sports, but that they will also be indicted on criminal charges."

Chairman of the KHL Disciplinary Committee, Vladimir Saraev, then revealed the Committee's conclusions regarding the officials directly involved in Alexei Cherepanov's tragedy:

"Konstantin Potapov, former President of HC Avangard, has been suspended and indefinitely denied the right to occupy any position in any club of the KHL or in any structure of KHL;

"Mikhail Denisov, formerly Director of HC Vityaz, has been suspended and indefinitely denied the right to occupy any position in any club of the KHL or in any structure of KHL;

"Anatoly Bardin, formerly General Manager of HC Avangard, has been suspended and indefinitely denied the right to occupy any position in any club of the KHL, perform management functions in any club or in the structure of KHL;

"Sergei Belkin, currently a doctor of HC Avangard, has been suspended and indefinitely denied the right to occupy any position in any club of the KHL or in any structure of KHL;

"Dmitry Batushenko currently a doctor of HC Avangard, has been suspended and denied the right to occupy any position in any club of the KHL or in any structure of KHL for two years.

In closing, Nikolai Durmanov gave information regarding the medical aspects of the case: 

"One of the major issues confronting us was whether the team doctors knew about Cherepanov's disease. The team doctors of Avangard say that they did not know that Cherepanov had a serious heart condition. According to these doctors it is normal for professional athletes to feel unhealthy. However, we have facts, which indicate that they knew about Alexei's disease. Most likely, they did not comprehend the full seriousness of his condition, as such conditions should only be treated by experienced cardiologists. The team doctors of Avangard tried to treat Alexei on their own. What the press described as systematic doping, was an attempt to cure Alexei's heart condition."

For more information about the KHL, visit www.khl.ru.

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