DHAKA: Maria Sharapova’s sponsors have given a mixed response to her two year ban for failing a drugs test.

The Russian tennis player was handed the ban on Wednesday after testing positive for the prohibited drug meldonium earlier this year.

The sports firm, Nike, the racket manufacturer, Head, and bottled water company, Evian have all said they will stand by her, reports the BBC.

Car manufacturer, Porsche said it will wait to see the outcome of her appeal.

The Swiss watchmaker, Tag Heuer cut ties with her in March but said it did not rule out working with her in the future.

Cosmetic brand Avon is severing all ties with Sharapova, but insisted it had nothing to do with the ban, saying it was a ‘limited engagement’.

An independent tribunal appointed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) found the tennis star had not intentionally taken a banned drug but it said she bore a degree of fault and had been taking meldonium to enhance her performance.

She is appealing against the ban.

Following Sharapova’s admission in March that she had tested positive for meldonium, a heart disease drug which has only been a banned substance since 1 January 2016, Nike had initially suspended its relationship with her, saying it would monitor the investigation.

BDST: 2232 HRS, JUN 09, 2016
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