Doctor Eufemiano Fuentes received a one year suspended sentence ©Getty Images

Enrique Gómez Bastida, director of the Spanish Anti-Doping Agency (AEPSAD), has stressed the importance of the bags of blood and plasma at the centre of the anti-doping case known as "Operation Puerto" being handed over to authorities.

Madrid’s Provincial Court is considering a verdict on appeals made against the destruction of the evidence from the criminal trial of Eufemiano Fuentes.

The doctor had been found to have provided blood doping to several of the world's leading cyclists.

The case followed a police raid in 2006 in which more than 200 frozen bags of blood and plasma were seized from his clinic in the Spanish capital.

Fuentes received a one-year suspended sentence for endangering public health for the way he performed blood extractions and transfusions.

Judge Julia Patricia Santamaria ruled the blood bags and other evidence would be destroyed rather than handed over to anti-doping authorities at the completion of the trial, with the case focusing on medical practices rather than doping.

Doping was also not considered an offence in Spain at the time.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Cycling Union (UCI), the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) and the Spanish Cycling Federation were among those to appeal the decision.

With the verdict yet to be reached, Bastida claimed a ruling to destroy the evidence would send the wrong message.

WADA were among the organisations to appeal the decision
WADA were among the organisations to appeal the decision ©Getty Images

“I say that would be a blow, because it is necessary to send a clear message in the fight against doping,” he told the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

“It is important that those involved recognise the facts.

“If the Court decides to give the bags [it] would be a success, because the fight against doping is something integral.

“Not only is the work of an institution, but of all public authorities to preserve a set of values, and the health of athletes, fair play and a level playing field.”

The UCI and the WADA wanted to examine the bags and attempt to find out which athletes had been doped by Fuentes.

Sanctions against athletes involved, in the event of a successful appeal, appear doubtful with Bastida stating there would be difficultly obtaining DNA from those involved.

The time elapsed between the start of the case and its conclusion could also halt the prospect of sanctions.

Only a small number of cyclists involved have been outed, with top players from tennis, football and other high profile sports also alleged to have been a part of the doping ring.