SCB Statement re Nick Morris

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SCB STATEMENT: NICK MORRIS
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023
On Wednesday 12th July 2023 at Birmingham Speedway in their fixture versus Glasgow, four Riders were randomly selected for an Alcohol and Doping Test.

Birmingham Rider Nick Morris was one of the four riders randomly selected.

Mr Morris failed to comply to the testing procedure and was excluded from the event.

Due to this failure to comply this breaches SCB Regulation –

• 08.2.1 Testing Procedure
i) A refusal to undergo Anti – Doping Testing will be regarded for the purpose of the application of penalties, identical to a positive test.

Due to the breach of the Regulations as above, Mr Morris SCB Registration will be suspended initially for a period of 30 days and will be summoned to attend a SCB Disciplinary Court.

The Premiership and Championship clubs of Mr Morris Leicester and Birmingham respectively will be entitled to a facility during his suspension.

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The following has been released.

SCB STATEMENT: NICK MORRIS
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2023
Following Nick Morris Breach of the SCB Regulations at Birmingham Speedway on the 12th July 2023 and therefore receiving a 30 day suspension of his SCB Registration pending a SCB Disciplinary Hearing, the hearing was due to take place on the 25th July 2023.

Mr Morris and his legal team requested a postponement of the hearing for a later date, on the understanding that Mr Morris suspension would continue until the hearing takes place, regardless that the date exceeded the initial 30 day suspension period.

The Disciplinary Hearing will now take place on Wednesday 16th August 2023.

Birmingham Brummies will continue to have a facility for Mr Morris during his suspension period.

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SCB STATEMENT: NICK MORRIS
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023
ON Wednesday 16th August 2023 the Speedway Control Bureau held a Disciplinary Hearing for Mr. Nick Morris, who on the 12th July 2023 at Birmingham Speedway failed to comply with an Anti-Doping Test, therefore breaching a number of the SCB Regulations.

Following correspondence after the event with the legal team of Mr Morris, the SCB received confirmation on the 21st July 2023 that Mr Morris would plead guilty to the charge of ‘Failing to provide a Specimen’.

As per SCB Regulation:

* 08.2.1 Testing Procedure

i) A refusal to undergo Anti-Doping testing will be regarded for the purpose of application of penalties, identical to a positive test.

A further charge of:

* 018.2 Breach of Rules

c) Any attempt to influence improperly an official in the course of their duties.

was withdrawn.

The Disciplinary Panel took into consideration Mr Morris’ early guilty plea and written mitigation.

The penalties imposed are:

2-year suspension of his ACU Licence
2-year suspension of his SCB Registration
Fines and costs to the value of £1500
Additionally, as Mr Morris had entered an early guilty plea, the Disciplinary Panel agreed that both the suspension of his ACU Licence and SCB Registration would be backdated and therefore effective from the 13th July 2023.

This means he would be eligible to return on the 12th July 2025.

The panel also considered the mitigation with regards to time to pay any financial penalties, and agreed a period of six months. Therefore, this is due by the 29th February 2024.