Monday
Jul302012
Score One For FIDE: Ethics Commission Confirms French Cheating Case Suspensions
Monday, July 30, 2012 at 10:02AM
It was been quite a while now, but after about two years FIDE has leaped into action, suspending Arnauld Hauchard for three years, Sebastien Feller (the beneficiary of the cheating) for two years and nine months, and Cyril Marzolo for a year and a half. Much more about this, including links to the backstory for those who forgot or are new to it, here.
Reader Comments (3)
The thing about this which gives me an ache in my ethics/morals bone is the behaviour of Feller. After his initial confession to the French authorities, he changed his mind and proclaimed he was innocent. Not only that, he claimed he was being persecuted by the FFE for political reasons, wasn't supported properly by them and was a target because he knew of financial irregularities and corruption. He also threatened to sue them.
In all of this, he was relying on the integrity of the FFE not to release details of his and his collaborators confessions, all the while posturing and decrying his innocence.
In any case the French authorities are to be congratulated imo for taking decisive (if delayed) action.
@BabsonTask: The French federation had acted quickly, I would say as quickly as possible. Arguably they could have acted even more quickly, i.e. during the Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk (in a way they did because Feller didn't play the last match?), but at that stage cheating allegations were rumors which had to be investigated by dedicated authorities. It was FIDE who took its sweet time.
BTW on a German blog GM Jörg Hickl clarified a few points (source: Ralph Alt, member of the FIDE Ethics Commission):
- Feller and Hauchard are banned from 1st August 2012 (today). They can still appeal at the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) in Lausanne.
- In Marzolo's case, FIDE confirmed the initial verdict by the French federation [Marzolo hadn't taken legal action]. The ban went from 27 May 2011 until 27 November 2012, with the last 9 months after 27/2/2012 being probational. Hence he is currently allowed to play. Indeed, he didn't have rated games for a few rating lists, but does have some again starting with the May 2012 list.
- It is unclear whether Feller can keep his rating points and board prize from the Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad. Other FIDE instances have to decide on this.
@Thomas Perhaps my last sentence poorly was not so clear. I completely agree that the French federation acted very quickly indeed and my congratulations were quite sincere. The "(if delayed}" was for the final result, which we had to wait for because of the successful 'technical grounds' appeal.
I can't see, with all the evidence that has been gathered, an appeal to the CAS being successful - but you never know. I don't see how FIDE will allow Feller to keep his points & prize - especially if one of the minor prize winners gives them a bit of a prod.