Wednesday Nov 23 2005 16:25
UEFA have banned Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier for 18 months after the former Portugal international tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
The 32-year-old failed a test following Boro's UEFA Cup match against Xanthi on 29 September.
A statement from European football's governing body read: "At their meeting held on Wednesday at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has suspended the Middlesbrough player, Abel Xavier, for 18 months from all competitions, following the positive result of a doping control test undergone by the player at the UEFA Cup match, Middlesbrough - Xanthi of Greece on 29 September 2005.
"The analysis of both the A and B samples revealed the presence of Methandienone, a substance that is classified under the category of anabolic steroids in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2005 Prohibited List.
"The player was found guilty of being in breach of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations. As a result, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body decided to impose an 18-month ban on Abel Xavier.
"This decision may be appealed against within three days of receipt of the written reasoning."
Abel Xavier moved to Boro on a free transfer in August following his release by AS Roma.
He has also played for Benfica, Galatasaray, PSV Eindhoven, Everton and Liverpool during a long career.
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