Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

Italian agent and coach held in Kenya for questioning

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Italian sports agent Federico Rosa and coach Claudio Berardelli are being questioned by Kenyan police over the alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes they managed and trained, court documents showed on Wednesday.

Italian sports agent held in Kenya for questioning
(Reuters)

Kenya, renowned for its distance runners, has faced frequent allegations of doping, with some 40 cases reported in the past four years.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said last month that competitors from Russia and Kenya, given the recent history of doping in both countries, would have to be screened individually before being allowed to participate in the Rio Games next month.

Rosa, who runs Italy-based Rosa & Associati, "conspired to cause injury by doping, to the reputation and profession of athletes," according to a police request submitted to court to extend Rosa's detention for questioning.

The affidavit, signed by Police Chief Inspector Joseph Indeke and presented to a Nairobi court, also accused Rosa of "preventing some of them from their lawful exercise of their profession" due to doping.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"The respondent in furtherance of unlawful purpose, resulted in the ban of some athletes from participating in international competitions and others even becoming incapacitated," the affidavit said.

Coach Berardelli was also detained and questioned on allegations including that he "conspired to cause injury by doping, to the reputation and profession of athletes," according to an affidavit by Chief Inspector George Mutiso submitted to court.

Neither Rosa nor Berardelli were charged and were not required to enter a plea. The magistrates approved their continued detention for questioning.

Rosa's lawyer, who objected in court to his client's continued detention, could not be reached for further comment. Berardelli's lawyer confirmed his client was detained until Tuesday but gave no further details.

Neither Rosa nor Berardelli could immediately be reached for comment.

The affidavits did not name any athletes. Those who have been managed by Rosa & Associati include former Boston City Marathon and Chicago Marathon winner Rita Jeptoo, who failed an out-of-competition test for the banned blood-booster EPO.

Jeptoo was also coached by Berardelli.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta signed an anti-doping amendment bill into law after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Kenyan legislation passed in April needed further changes to comply with WADA's code.

(Reporting by George Obulutsa, Humphrey Malalo and Isaack Omulo; Editing by Edmund Blair and Ken Ferris)


2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world