The disciplinary commission of the French anti-doping body (AFLD) says it has received a letter from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) "ordering it to change its behavior." Otherwise, WADA will initiate a non-compliance procedure, which will result in various sanctions, AFP reported.

WADA accused the French agency of making decisions "clearly not in line with either the global anti-doping code or the case law of the Court of Arbitration for Sport".

With the Paris Olympics just 11 months away, the AFLD said in a statement that WADA has resorted to "true blackmail."

"It is threatening to initiate legal proceedings that could lead to the banning of French athletes from participating in certain international competitions, including the Olympic Games, as well as prohibiting France from hosting such competitions," the AFLD said in its response.

"Since its creation, the disciplinary commission has taken several hundred decisions, none of which have been challenged by WADA," the report claimed.

In 2018, the French anti-doping agency was split into two parts. The AFLD monitors, investigates and proposes penalties for athletes suspected of doping.

But overseeing these investigations and imposing sanctions is left to an independent disciplinary commission.

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