sport news Tribunal will demand that Richard Freeman finally reveals just who were the ...

Richard Freeman, the former Team Sky and British Cycling doctor who will face serious allegations at a medical hearing that begins in Manchester this week, is expected to be quizzed on whether he ordered medication for staff members without their knowledge.

Central to a case that could be an embarrassment for the gold medal laden British cycling team and, even worse, tarnish the 2012 London Olympics, Freeman will be asked about a 2011 delivery of testosterone gel to the Manchester HQ of British Cycling and Team Sky.

Detailed in the General Medical Council allegations listed last month by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) is the claim 'his management of prescription-only medication was inappropriate'.

Richard Freeman is facing questions over the alleged testosterone gel delivery

Richard Freeman is facing questions over the alleged testosterone gel delivery

Sportsmail understands British Cycling and Team Sky staff, past and present, will be called as witnesses to confirm if they were aware that Freeman had ordered medication for them. If they deny knowledge, it leaves open the question of who the drugs were for.

One of the charges laid against Freeman is that 'his motive for placing the order was to obtain Testogel to administer to an athlete to improve athletic performance'.

Recently, United States Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart suggested giving athletes non-banned medication without a medical need was as concerning as the abuse of banned substances.

As the MPTS said last month: 'The tribunal will further inquire into the allegation that, when Team Doctor for athletes at British Cycling Federation and Tour Racing/Team Sky, Dr Freeman inappropriately provided medical treatment that did not constitute first aid to non–athlete members of staff. It is further alleged that Dr Freeman failed to inform three patients' GPs of medication prescribed and reasons for prescribing.

'The tribunal will further inquire into the allegation that, in his role as Team Doctor for athletes at British Cycling Federation and Tour Racing/Team Sky, Dr Freeman failed to maintain an adequate record management system. It is further alleged that his management of prescription-only medication ('POM') was inappropriate.'

At this stage the MPTS will not reveal the witnesses being called to the hearing in Manchester but officials from UK Anti-Doping are expected to attend as observers.

Any new evidence that emerges could trigger a fresh UKAD investigation, with the agency still able to charge Freeman with an anti-doping rule violation if the evidence justifies it. There are strict regulations around support and medical staff and the possession of banned substances, and the fact Freeman has left cycling, having quit his post at British Cycling in 2017 rather than give evidence to an international investigation conducted by the governing body, is irrelevant.

Freeman is due to appear at Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing next week

Freeman is due to appear at Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing next week

THE KEY ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DR FREEMAN 

The General Medical Council (GMC) allege that:

On May 16, 2011, Dr Richard Freeman ordered 30 sachets of testosterone gel 'Testogel' from Fit4Sport Ltd to be delivered to the Manchester Velodrome. At the time Testogel was, and still is, listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances. His motive for ordering the gel was to administer it to an athlete to improve their athletic performance. In October 2011 he contacted

read more from dailymail.....

PREV Ezra Mam 'adamant' Spencer Leniu made racial slur during NRL Las Vegas game
NEXT sport news F1 world champion Max Verstappen is implored by FIA president Mohammed Ben ... trends now