The decision by British athletic officials to clear sprint legend Linford Christie after he failed a dope test was overthrown yesterday in Monte Carlo by the sport's world governing body.

Now the former Olympic gold medallist faces a two-year ban when his case goes for the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) arbitration panel early next year.

Also facing a two-year ban is Cuban high jump world record holder Javier Sotomayor.

The Cuban tested positive for cocaine earlier this year at the Pan American Games. Like Christie, he was cleared by his national federation but the IAAF council rejected the decision, and also forwarded his case to the arbitration panel.

Large amounts of the steroid nandrolone were found in Christie's system when he was tested at an indoor meeting in Germany at the beginning of the year.

However, the sprinter yesterday renewed his claims of innocence. A statement issued by Christie said: "As far as I am concerned the matter has already been dealt with long ago by the UK Athletics disciplinary panel.

"I am innocent and have been comprehensively cleared. In any case I am retired as an athlete and look forward to furthering my career in coaching and broadcasting."

However IAAF drug expert Dr Arne Ljungqvist stressed that it did not matter how the drug had got into his system.

"Under our rules the fact that it is there is sufficient," he said.

Yesterday's decision underlines that the IAAF is determined to continue the tough stance against doping taken by their late president Primo Nebiolo. The German Athletics Federation also announced yesterday it was suspending leading athlete Dieter Baumann with immediate effect after he failed two dope tests.

Baumann, Olympic gold medallist in the 5,000 metres in 1992, revealed yesterday he had tested positive for banned substance nandrolone twice in October and November. He denies any wrongdoing.

The 34-year-old Baumann, dubbed the White Kenyan, was informed of the results of the urine tests on Monday and maintains his innocence.