New Precedent in Russian Sport: Clever Consult Helps Russian Hockey Player Ivan Morozov Reduce Sanction From Four Years Down To One Month

We are pleased to bring good news to our subscribers and all hockey fans: we just received RUSADA's decision to conclude proceedings against Ivan Morozov, a hockey player with HC Spartak Moscow.

On August 29, 2025, at the Moscow Mayor's Cup, Ivan Morozov tested positive for a prohibited substance falling under Category S6 of the WADA Prohibited List. Current Anti-Doping Rules and CAS legal practice (see, for example, the award delivered in a recent case 2024/A/11051 Natalia Rok v. Polish Anti-Doping Agency) suggest that such a violation can result in a harsh sanction of up to 4 years of ineligibility.

Clever Consult specialists exerted every effort to obtain the best possible outcome of Ivan’s case. Choice of correct defense strategy as well as close and constructive interaction with RUSADA paved the way to significant reduction of the sanction to be applied.

On account of the fact that the athlete admitted his guilt, expressed remorse, apologized to fans and teammates and completed a rehabilitation program, RUSADA, for the first time in Russian history, reduced the sanction applicable for such an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) down to one month via the mechanism of the second paragraph of Article 12.2.4.1 of the All-Russian Anti-Doping Rules.

Clever Consult and Ivan Morozov are grateful to RUSADA for demonstrating a fair and objective approach to such a complex matter. We wish Ivan a speedy return to the ice and new victories!