The FEI ruled in February that it would retrospectively remove six competitions from three jumping events held in Villeneuve-Loubet in December 2019, as well as a further six competitions from three events at the same venue in January 2020.

The FEI said the decision was based on the findings from an investigation launched by the governing body after concerns were raised about the integrity of these events.

The investigation established that, contrary to the FEI rules, two competitions counting for the Olympic and Longines Rankings were added at each of the three December 2019 events after the respective definite entries deadlines.

The updated schedules for these events were submitted by the French Equestrian Federation and were mistakenly approved by the FEI.

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We qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020!!!! Chopin VA words can’t describe what a Amazing horse you are to Me and to all the people around you. You really means the world to us ? specially @niki_pumafan that have taking the best possible care of both me and Chopin VA This has been a unbelievable journey form the beginning to the end, a exiting year with a up and downs, but we finally made it! It wouldn’t have been possible without all the support that I got from my whole team, I couldn’t have done it without you all!!? It’s truly a dream coming true Thank you to you all!!!! But a special thank you that definitely have to be mention is to Jörn Reinecke that made all my dreams come true ♥️ *Manfred von Allwörden, that never stopped believing in us and as Chopin VA breeder we wouldn’t even have a Dream with out you! ? *Nikolay Nikolov that takes the very best care of Chopin VA *Sylve Söderstrand that have been a strong believer in us as a coach. *Sofie Svensson, Lily Anderssonand Miguel Potenciano that have been my fantastic team at home. *Ugo Carozzo & Cedric Marie for the best support a horse can wish for *Camilla Andersson, you step in like the sunshine on cloudy day☀️ *To all my sponsors, friends and Family ? I’m really looking forward to the rest of 2020

A post shared by Mathilda T Karlsson (@im_mathildatkarlsson) on Jan 6, 2020 at 5:39am PST

This led to the FEI retrospectively removing these additional competitions, meaning that athletes who participated lost their ranking points.

The updated rankings saw Sri Lanka’s Mathilda Karlsson drop from second to seventh in the Group G Olympic rankings, resulting in Sri Lanka losing its Olympic individual quota slot.

The FEI further ruled that three of the six events at Villeneuve-Loubet in January 2020 also had two classes counting for Longines Rankings points added after the definite entries deadline.

These additional competitions were also removed retrospectively and athletes that participated lost their ranking points for these competitions.

Karlsson and Romania’s Andrea Herck appealed the decision, with the latter appealing against the loss of ranking points.

The FEI Tribunal has dismissed the appeals, ruling that the integrity of the sport had been jeopardised and, therefore ruled that "justified circumstances" existed which allowed the FEI secretary general to make the decision to remove the competitions and annul the Olympic and Longines ranking points.

"This is an important decision to ensure the integrity of the sport, and particularly the Olympic and Longines Rankings," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez said.

Karlsson and Herck have 21 days from June 16 to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).