Farah medic in new drug controversy

THE FA are planning talks with England team doctor Rob Chakraverty following allegations that in his previous job at UK Athletics he mishandled thyroid medication given to a Team GB athlete. Former middle-distance runner Emma Jackson claimed in the Mail On Sunday that it caused her health problems and brought a premature end to her career. The FA refused to confirm to Sportsmail last night that Chakraverty’s position as the senior medic to the England squad is secure ahead of Euro 2020 this summer and said they would speak to him. ‘We are aware of the allegations and will work with the relevant parties to better understand the details of the claim,’ said an FA spokesperson. ‘It would not be appropriate to comment further.’ Chakraverty’s time at the FA has been beset by controversy since he was recruited in 2016, although the majority of the claims made about him relate to his previous role as chief medical officer for UK Athletics, which he held from 2013 to 2016. In 2018, the Department for Culture Media and Sport select committee called for the General Medical Council to investigate Chakraverty after hearing evidence that he gave Sir Mo Farah an L-carnitine injection before the 2014 London Marathon without recording the dosage. Jackson, who was born without a thyroid gland, claims that between 2011 and 2013, Chakraverty prescribed levels of thyroxine which another doctor described as being ‘through the roof’, allegations which the FA will now probe. Yesterday Dr Chakraverty said: ‘I refute any suggestion that I have been encouraging medical screening of the use of medication for any reason other than protecting the athletes’ health.’