Tyson Fury to face anti-doping tribunal as heavyweight champion charged over alleged presence of banned substance

Fury and his cousin, Hughie Fury, are both alleged to have taken the banned substance nandrolone

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury faces a tribunal over an alleged failed drugs test (Getty)

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is to face an anti-doping tribunal after he was charged over the alleged presence of a banned substance.

A provisional suspension imposed on June 24 has been lifted after an appeal, but UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) said Fury would face the independent National Anti-Doping Panel on a date yet to be confirmed.

UKAD also said it suspended Hughie Fury, Tyson Fury's cousin, on the same grounds and that he too, having had the suspension provisionally lifted, would have his case heard by the NADP.

The news came after the boxers' lawyer on Tuesday said both men "strenuously" denied committing doping offences and intended to sue UKAD.

UKAD said on Wednesday: "In response to public comments made by Tyson and Hughie Fury's representatives, UK Anti-Doping can confirm that both boxers were charged on 24 June 2016 with presence of a prohibited substance. Mandatory provisional suspensions were imposed pursuant to article 7.9.1 of the UK Anti-Doping rules.

"The UK Anti-Doping Rules allow athletes to challenge the imposition of a provisional suspension and the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) today lifted the athletes' suspensions, pending full determination of the charges. These charges will be heard at a hearing before the NADP in due course.

"UK Anti-Doping will not comment further on the case until due legal process has been completed."

Peter Fury, the father of Hughie Fury and uncle of Tyson Fury, is also the trainer of both fighters and welcomed the news they are now free to fight.

Peter Fury wrote on Twitter: "To all our fans. Ukad suspension Lifted & @Tyson_Fury @hughiefury can & will be fighting with full go ahead from tribunal. Truth!! Amen."

Promoter Frank Warren added: "Congratulations to @Tyson_Fury & @hughiefury , they will now have their day in court after the ridiculous situation UKAD put them in!"

On the day both fighters were charged by UKAD, Tyson Fury postponed his world title rematch against Wladimir Klitschko because of an ankle injury. The fight had been scheduled for July 9 in Manchester.

Tyson Fury said in early July that the fight would instead go ahead on October 29.

Fury caused a major upset when he beat veteran Ukrainian Klitschko last November in Dusseldorf.

It was reported by the Sunday Mirror on June 26 that traces of banned substance nandrolone were found in a urine sample provided by Tyson Fury that dated back to February 2015. The report also said that Hughie Fury had tested positive.

Hughie Fury is also alleged to have tested positive for nandrolone (Getty)

Both deny wrongdoing and intend to sue UKAD over the allegations.

Lawyer Lewis Power said on Tuesday: "The two boxers strenuously deny taking any performance-enhancing drugs.

"However, during the last five weeks, leaks about these charges have appeared in the press and both boxers have been the targets of continual abusive language on Twitter."

PA