Simpson, a 4x100 metres relay gold medallist at Athens 2004 who won a silver medal in the same event at London 2012, was banned for 18 month on Tuesday (April 8) after testing positive last year for the banned supplement oxilofrine.

Former world 100m record holder and Beijing 2008 4x100m relay gold medal winner Powell was awarded an identical ban after failing a test for the same substance, it was announced last night.

This means he has no chance of competing in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer.

The 31-year-old claims he was unwittingly given the substance by his coach, described the ruling as "not only unfair but patently unjust."

He added: "Panels such as these, I understood, were assembled to allow athletes who consciously or unconsciously come into conflict with the rules of sport a chance at equitable redemption.

"Unfortunately, this was not the case."

But Fennell, the former President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, claimed it was good a decision has been made following the lengthy process.

"I'm pleased with the decision that has been made because it is something that has been going on for a long time," Fennell, here attending the SportAccord International Convention, told insidethegames.

Fennell claimed he could not comment on the specifics of the ban because he had not been involved in the investigation process.

Asafa Powell celebrating a race win shortly before being banned from the sport last summer ©Getty Images



Powell and Simpson were two of five Jamaican athletes to test positive during the National Championships last year.

Both Powell and Simpson have claimed they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Powell's stance has also been criticised by one of his sprinting rivals, Kitts and Nevis' 2003 world champion Kim Collins, who claimed ignorance is not an excuse applicable to those who fail drugs tests.

"If you say you trust people, and that's what happens, you're just as bad as them," Collins told the BBC.

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