RENOWNED athletics coach Stephen Francis has been strongly reprimanded by the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) for his role in supplying world and Olympic champion Shelly Ann Fraser with a prohibited substance.

Fraser picked up a six-month ban from world governing body the IAAF earleir this year and was warned that a recurrence will lead to stronger sanctions.

The IAAF published news of its censure on its website, www.jaaaltd.com in a release, stating that they had met with Francis, who had apologised in writing for his indiscretion.

“(Francis) apologised for his dereliction in the case and acknowledged the embarrassment he caused to the JAAA…,” the release said.

Francis, who also conditions world-class athletes Asafa Powell, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Melaine Walker and Nesta Carter — reportedly gave Fraser a painkiller that contained the banned narcotic Oxycodone prior to a Diamond League race in Shanghai, China on May 23.

Fraser, who had been provisionally suspended since June, received a six-month suspension from the IAAF in September and will return to competition on January 7 next year.

Observer sources had said at the time that the world governing body had written to the JAAA requesting information on how it planned to proceed with any possible sanctions against Francis as its rules stipulate.

According to Rule 32.2 h, doping is defined as “Administration… of any prohibited substance or method” to any athlete, while Rule 40.3 b states that violations of the anti-doping rule for administration of a prohibited substance “shall carry a period of ineligibility of a minimum four years up to a lifetime ineligibility”.

JAAA Doping Panel member Dr Warren Blake told the Observer yesterday that the IAAF was in receipt of its ruling against Francis and had not objected to the decision.

“They have not objected to what we’ve done,” he said.

Francis, in the meantime, has not spoken publicly on the issue since it first came to prominence. He turned down an Observer request for an interview until the new track season starts.

Meanwhile, the JAAA has urged coaches and other officials to be mindful in their dealings with their charges.

“…In order to preserve the integrity of Jamaica’s track and field athletics, the JAAA is appealing to all coaches and other athlete support personnel that this should be a lesson to all who have the responsibility to guide our athletes,” the association stated on its website.