Today the FIM released the hearing information concerning the Noriyuki Haga appeal. The case will be heard by the CAS in Lausanne in the days leading up to the series' last round at Brands Hatch.

It is unknown if the CAS, a European-based court not associated with the FIM, will hand down its ruling before or after the event. Currently Haga is third in the championship with 256 points, 1 behind Troy Corser and 25 behind Edwards. While three rounds remain, Haga could retake the championship lead if the CAS returns his South African points. If Haga's points were reinstated today, he would lead with 301 points to Colin Edwards II's 276.

Haga, a watch aficionado, should purchase his lawyers new Swiss-made Rolexes if the outcome is favorable for the Yamaha rider. Otherwise, Nori may be left taking a SwissAir flight back to Japan as he could be sitting out the final round.

The release reads as follows:

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced that the hearing of the appeal lodged by Japanese rider Noriyuki Haga will take place on October 12 next in Lausanne (Switzerland). Mr. Haga had lodged this appeal against the decision of the FIM International Tribunal of Appeal (TIA) of June 30, 2000. This decision notably prohibited him from taking part in any of the activities under FIM control for a period of three weeks as from June 30, 2000. On July 6, the CAS had stayed the execution of the decision taken by the TIA.

Following a doping control carried out at the Superbike World Championship round in Kyalami (South Africa) on April 2, the urine samples (A and B) of Mr. Haga contained a quantity of ephedrine above the cut-off level.