A final ruling on the positive drugs test given by six-time Grand Tour champion, Alberto Contador, has again been delayed.

Contador tested positive for clenbuterol on the second rest day of the 2010 Tour de France. The Court of Arbitration for Sport issued a statement yesterday (Jan 16) advising that a ruling would now be issued in the week of January 31.

The Court blamed sections of the media for rumours concerning the arbitration procedure involving Contador, the International Cycling Union (UCI), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC).

In a statement, the Court said: “The CAS will not comment on these allegations. However, the CAS has requested the parties to clarify whether, at this stage, any of them wanted to challenge the composition of the arbitral panel. As all answers were negative, the Panel will now be able to resume its mission. “Unfortunately, this regrettable incident has slightly delayed the work of the Panel and the publication of the final decision should now take place during the week of 31 January 2012.”

Contador has consistently denied wrongdoing, and insisted that the clenbuterol entered his system from a contaminated steak.

Click here for a detailed explanation of the case.