Fallon loses on appeal

Kieren Fallon learned on Thursday that his

appeal against his suspension from riding in Britain has been

dismissed by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority. Following the

hearing on Wednesday evening, at which the leading human rights

barrister David Pannick QC made representations, the panel upheld

the original decision not to grant Fallon a license.

An HRA

statement read, "The board received the panel's decision and

reasons and mindful of the serious criminal charges now

outstanding against Kieren Fallon, decided that the panel's

decision to decline to consider any of the presently available

evidence was correct. Further, that the decision to prohibit him

from riding in races in Great Britain until the conclusion of his

trial or further order was justified. The appeal is dismissed."

Fallon issued a statement of his own soon after through his

solicitors, BCL Burton Copeland.

"I am deeply disappointed by the

refusal of the HRA to overturn my suspension from riding in the

UK," it read. "I will now take the matter to the High Court, and

beyond if necessary, to reinstate my rights to earn a living in

the UK and participate in the sport that I love. Until I have the

chance to prove my innocence in court, it is grossly unfair that

I am being denied a living in Britain."

Legal representatives of

Coolmore's retained rider, who was charged with conspiracy to

defraud Betfair customers by the City of London Police last

Monday, will receive written reasons from the HRA for its

decision and are expected to proceed to the High Court in a

matter of weeks.