Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal acquits eight athletes including European marathon champion Daniele Meucci and Olympic triple jump bronze medallist Fabrizio Donato

Eight athletes who were last year accused of evading doping tests have been cleared of wrongdoing, according to the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

Daniele Meucci, Fabrizio Donato, Daniele Greco, Ruggero Pertile, Andrew Howe, Silvia Salis, Anna Incerti and Andrea Lalli were among 26 athletes named by CONI in December when they were accused of evading doping controls, but at the time The Associated Press reported how the athletes “maintain there was an administrative error”.

Two-year suspensions had initially been requested.

The eight athletes have been acquitted by the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal. Decisions for the other 18 athletes are reportedly due in the coming weeks.

Meucci took the European marathon title in 2014 and also has European 10,000m silver and bronze medals to his name, while Donato claimed a triple jump bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics after gold at the European Championships that same year. Howe is the 2007 world long jump silver medallist and he also claimed world indoor bronze in 2006.

The statement released by CONI on Monday can be found here.