We critically discuss a recent paper in favour of criminalising doping in the legal order of the UK. We revisit the arguments put forward and put them in context with regard to their political, ethical and legal implications. On this basis, we then address the question whether drawing upon the ‘spirit of sport’ as defined in the World Anti-Doping Code is warranted in view of supporting the idea of criminalising doping, and finally present counter arguments that plead against the crimi- nalisation of doping.