Saudi equestrians will appeal ban

The Court of Arbitration for Sport will hear the appeals of two members of Saudi Arabia's Olympic equestrian team, who have been banned for eight months and excluded from the London Games because of horse doping.

The Switzerland-based court says Khaled Abdulaziz Al Eid and Abdullah Waleed Sharbatly can have their appeal heard in London on Thursday. CAS says a judge will rule on their appeal by June 15.

The International Equestrian Federation banned both riders for eight months after their horses tested positive for controlled anti-inflammatory medications at competitions in the Middle East.

The bans expire in October. Equestrian events at the London Olympics begin July 28.

Al Eid is the 2000 Sydney Olympics bronze medalist. Sharbatly won silver at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.