Maria Sharapova may be spared the maximum four-year ban for failing a drug test if she can prove she has a condition which requires the treatment she took, an anti-doping expert has said. Five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova announced on Monday she had tested positive for a substance called meldonium at this years Australian Open.Meldonium was placed on the banned list by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) at the beginning of the year, having been part of its monitoring programme throughout 2015. Geraint Hughes shows how easy it is to find meldonium on WADAs banned substances list Sharapova said she had legally taken the medication since 2006 to deal with health issues including an irregular heartbeat.Grindeks, the Latvian company which manufactures meldonium - banned by WADA as it aids oxygen uptake and endurance - says the normal course of treatment for the drug is four to six weeks.Depending on the patients health condition, treatment course of meldonium preparations may vary from four to six weeks. Treatment course can be repeated twice or thrice a year, said Grindeks in a statement.Only physicians can follow and evaluate patients health condition and state whether the patient should use meldonium for a longer period of time. Sharapova lost to Serena Williams in the quarter finals in Melbourne in January Sharapova will be provisionally suspended from tennis later this week and could face a ban of up to four years.However, former UK Sport anti-doping chief Michele Verroken believes she could receive a minimum of a one-year ban if she can prove she needed to take the drug for medical purposes.This is a strict liability issue and to test positive, as it were, for a prohibited substance is a strict liability matter, Verroken told Sky Sports News HQ. Sharapova fails drugs test Maria Sharapova reveals failed drug test at Australian Open You are responsible for what is found in your sample, you are responsible for what goes into your body.So, to just say that you didnt notice it had been added to the list will not be considered the excuse to totally evaluate an sanction.Now the challenge facing Maria Sharapova and her team is to bring forward the diagnostic evidence that she has a condition that required the prescription of this treatment.But if she can actually prove that she may get some leniency from the disciplinary panel. Barry Cowan says Maria Sharapova will have to pay the consequences for failing a drugs test Sharapova, who has been suspended by sponsors Nike, Tag Heuer and Porsche, says she accepts full responsibility for her actions but former British No 1 Jo Durie believes the Russian might have expected more help from people around her.Durie does not believe the former world No 1 is a drugs cheat either, saying it was a very big mistake that she is going to pay the price for.Everyones shocked and its just one big mistake isnt it from Maria and her team, who didnt pick this up, said Durie. Sir Bradley Wiggins admits he has sympathy for Sharapova after she failed a drugs test Maria has stood up and said ultimately that its her responsibility, shes the athlete and she should check. But when you get to the top of your sport you are surrounded by a team of people who really should be advising you and checking and doing all these things.I just think its very sad that this has happened.I think that Maria is, in my opinion, an honest person whos made a very big mistake; shes going to pay for it.I dont think shes a drugs cheat, I really dont, I think shes been caught out with something she thought was perfectly okay to take and then didnt check the lists. Also See: Sharapova career reveiw Sponsors drop Sharapolva What is Meldonium? Tennis reacts to news Air Max 90 Outlet Clearance . PETERSBURG, Fla. Fake Vans Shoes . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. http://www.outletsneakersclearance.com/fake-air-max-97.html . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. Cheap Sneakers Online . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Cheap Vapormax China . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers would like to host the NFL draft.The Packers have applied to host the draft in 2019, 2020 or 2021, team president Mark Murphy said.He told attendees at the teams annual shareholders meeting Thursday that the league views the draft as an event that can move around the country annually, similar to the Super Bowl.The last two drafts were held in Chicago.Green Bay is the leagues only publicly owned franchise, and reports to shareholders each year. The Packers also play in the NFLs smallest market.Murphy says hotel rooms could be an issue, though many fans attending games typically stay within an hours drive of Lambeau Field, or even more than two hours away in Milwaukee.The Packers had also applied to host next years draft, Murphy told reporters after the meeting, though he indicated that Green Bay wasnt a contender.Players report for training camp Monday, but the league is always planning ahead. The NFL plans to play a season-opening game in China in 2018, though it appears that the Packers arent interested.They asked us if we were interested. I didnt even go to Ted, joked Murphy, referring to general manager Ted Thompson.The Packers remain in good shape financially, having already reported an 8 percent increase in revenue to nearly $409 million in 2016. Its the 13th straight year with a new high for one of the NFLs marquee teams.Part of a redevelopment project on property across the street from Lambeau is scheduled to open next year, including a resttaurant and hotel.dddddddddddd The Packers hope that Titletown project also draws more revenue and year-round visits to the area, and the venue would be open if the team were to host a draft starting in 2019. The team had roughly $168 million in player costs in 2016.Fans can be assured the Packer organization will spend every salary cap cent to bring more championships to Green Bay, treasurer Mark McMullen said.The Packers and Patriots are the only two teams in the league with seven straight playoff appearances, Murphy said, two years short of tying the record.Thank you for your support. Its unparalleled in the NFL and we greatly appreciate it, Murphy said before adding with a smile. Lets all meet here back in February for a Super Bowl celebration.The meeting was delayed about a half-hour because of storms moving through the area.Game notes Murphy said the team has played a very minimal role in the NFL planning to interview defensive stars Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers in connection to a media report that linked them to the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The interviews were supposed to take place when camps open. Murphy said team involvement was limited to setting up interviews or working with the league office. ... Lambeau Field will have a bacon-themed food concessions stand this season.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '