Sheffield United keeper Kenny faces lengthy ban after failing drugs test

07 July 2009 10:48
Sheffield United star Paddy Kenny is bracing himself for a long suspension after failing a drugs test. The 31-year-old Republic of Ireland goalkeeper has been found guilty of taking a banned substance in a medicine. United have suspended Kenny until a verdict arrives. 'We can confirm that Paddy Kenny has been suspended by the club. This is an ongoing, confidential matter and as such we are unable to comment further,' read a club statement. The incident is believed to have taken place before the Championship play-off semi-final with Preston last season. Kenny, who failed both the A and B tests, is expected to be banned for between six months and two years. Kenny is believed to have taken the banned stimulant ephedrine in a cough mixture that he is understood to have bought over the counter at a chemist, rather than using United's medical resources. Ephedrine is on the list of the World Anti-Doping Agency's specified substances but is contained in some cold cures, and a positive test does not carry the usual automatic two-year suspension. Since 2007 however, four rugby players - two from rugby union and two from rugby league - have all been served with two-year bans after testing positive for ephedrine. In three of those cases, the players involved took ephedrine tablets before a match, while in the fourth case the source of the stimulant was unclear. In order to minimise his punishment, Kenny will have to attempt to prove that he did not take the drug in order to enhance his performance, and that it came in the form of an over-the-counter cough mixture or similar cold cure.

Source: Daily_Mail