Tyson Fury's UK Anti-Doping hearing can go ahead even if the boxer is not there in person, UKAD has told ESPN.
The hearing -- which could last into the new year -- was due to start on Monday but was immersed in confusion after the heavyweight failed to show up.
Fury's management company Hennessy Sports tweeted early on Tuesday to confirm he was not required to be at the hearing in person and a spokesperson from UKAD reaffirmed it should be possible for proceedings to continue without the former heavyweight champion.
Although they would not confirm whether the hearing has officially started or if Fury's presence is expected on Tuesday, the spokesperson told ESPN: "From my understanding, if the two sets of lawyers from each side are there then evidence can be given."
ESPN has contacted Hennessy Sports for comment, but it remains to be seen whether Fury or any of his representatives will be present at any point on Tuesday.
Dear All,
— Hennessy Sports (@HennessySports) December 12, 2017
To be clear Tyson Fury was not required to be at the UKAD hearing yesterday.
More news to follow shortly:@peterfury @Tyson_Fury @hughiefury @teamfuryoffical
The early indications are that the Manchester-born fighter has little intention of appearing in person, with a post on his official Instagram account suggesting he was going to the gym rather than the hearing doing little to contract that theory.
Regardless of his attendance, Fury's future is set to be decided by a tribunal comprised of three arbitrators from Sport Resolutions' National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP), a London-based independent body funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Fury, 29, is currently back in training as he plans to make a return to the ring in 2018 -- over two years since the heavyweight's last fight, a stunning points victory over Wladimir Klitschko in Nov. 2015.
The former world champion -- along with cousin and fellow heavyweight fighter Hughie -- has been under investigation by UKAD since June 2016, after he tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone a year earlier.
Fury has strongly denied taking the banned substance and claims that the positive result came as a result of eating wild boar that had not been castrated.
UKAD's doping accusations kickstarted a spectacular fall from grace for Fury. The Brit admitted to using cocaine to deal with depression after failing two VADA tests -- in both September and October -- shortly before he relinquished his world titles and saw his licence suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC).
After a year in the wilderness, Fury has stated his desire to fight three times in 2018 and has has already identified a number of targets on social media, including Anthony Joshua and Tony Bellew.
Even if Fury is found innocent by UKAD, he will still need to have his BBBoC licence restored before any of his comeback plans can begin to take shape.
The Press Association contributed to this report