Bednar handed back-dated ban

12 August 2009 17:56
West Brom striker Roman Bednar has been cleared to return to first-team action next week after being handed a back-dated three-month ban after allegations that he bought recreational drugs. The Czech forward, 26, was suspended by the club on May 17 after stories appeared in a national newspaper suggesting that he had bought cannabis and cocaine. He attended an FA disciplinary hearing in Derby on Wednesday afternoon and was handed a three-month ban after admitting charges of "possession and use of a prohibited substance" - a breach of FA Rule E25. His ban has been back-dated to the day which he was suspended by the Baggies, and means he is able to return from Monday - although the club insist they will be conducting an internal investigation this week to decide what sanctions they will take against the former Hearts man. Bednar arrived at The Hawthorns - initially on loan - in August 2007 and scored six times last season as the Baggies unsuccessfully battled against relegation from the Barclays Premier League, although the last of his goals came in the 2-0 win over Spurs in December.

Source: Eurosport