AIU Ban: Fred Kerley provisionally suspended for doping violations, intends to contest allegation

Former world champion Fred Kerley has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for doping violations.

According to the statement released by the AIU, the American speedster's violation was for Whereabouts Failures, and a notice of charge has been issued to him.

Kerkey, the 2022 world 100m champion and Paris Olympics medallist, last competed at the Grand Sprint Series in California on July 11. In May, before the Grand Slam Track League in Miami, he was arrested for a battery charge following an alleged altercation with his ex-girlfriend, fellow Olympian Alaysha Johnson, to which he later pleaded not guilty.

Before the US Championships, Kerley released a statement on his social media platforms announcing his withdrawal, as he revealed his struggles this season and needed some time off.

Following AIU's press release on his suspension, Kerley has announced plans to contest the allegation.

In a statement released on his Instagram page dated August 4, the sprint star wrote: "that he has not violated the anti-doping rules related to whereabout failures, as he strongly believes that one of more of his alleged missed tests should be set aside either because he was not negligent or because the doping control officer did not do what was reasonable under the circumstances to locate him at his designated location."