The affair is now part of a judicial investigation as the use of cocaine is illegal in Belgium, but the Flemish Community, in charge of doping controls in the north of the country will not be taking any action against Boonen, explained Tieneke Sonck, a spokesman for the Regional Sports Minster told AFP.
"A suspension is foreseen when controls took place during competition but it's not the case in this affair," said Sonck.
"A suspension is foreseen when controls took place during competition but it's not the case in this affair."
Tieneke Sonck,
Spokesman for Regional Sports Minster |
The International Cycling Union (UCI) confirmed that Boonen would not be facing any sanctions under their rules.
"The UCI will not be requesting that a disciplinary procedure be opened," a UCI spokesman told AFP.
"We have not been informed of this result but if the information is confirmed as it is an out-of-competition control UCI rules like those of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) do not have any sanctions for cocaine."
There was no immediate reaction or statement from Boonen's Quick Step team.
The 27-year-old sprinter was caught up in a drug scandal in December when Tom Vanoppen, cyclo-cross champion, said after he had tested positive for cocaine that Boonen had provided him with the drugs.
According to reports, Boonen, a contender for the top sprinter's green jersey in this summer's Tour de France, is currently in the process of negotiating a transfer to French team Bouygues Telecom.