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Noriyuki Haga who was found to have an excess amount of ephedrine in his blood during routine dope tests in South Africa has been suspended by the International Disciplinary Court of the FIM from FIM competition for a period of one month, as of June 5, 2000, and his results from the South African race have been nullified.
Haga also has to return all trophies and prize money, and also pay the FIM\'s hearing costs. Neither Haga, nor any of his representatives, showed up at the disciplinary hearing.
The Japanese rider may appeal the decision within 10 days of his official notification.
This means (pending any appeal) Colin Edwards, who finished second to Haga in race two at Kyalami, South Africa gains five more world championship points. However Edwards will actually lose ground, because Suzuki\'s Pier-Francesco Chili gains six points.
Revised World Superbike championship point standings after five of 13 rounds:
1 Colin Edwards, USA (Castrol Honda) 169
2 Pier-Francesco Chili, Italy (Suzuki) 146
3 Troy Corser, Australia (Aprilia) 101
4 Noriyuki Haga, Japan (Yamaha) 96
5 Akira Yanagawa, Japan (Kawasaki) 79
6 Gregorio Lavilla, Spain (Kawasaki) 71
7 Hitoyasu Izutsu, Japan (Kawasaki) 50
8 Ben Bostrom, USA (Ducati) 47
9 Katsuaki Fujiwara, Japan (Suzuki) 44
10 Neil Hodgson, GB (Ducati) 41
\"It\'s not the way I want to earn points,\" Edwards said in a Castrol Honda press release, \"but I suppose rules are rules and Haga\'s broken the rules. It\'s unfortunate.\"
Haga was 5th fastest in the free practice on Friday at Hockenheim.
LR
