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CSKA Moscow face Champions League disqualification
Published: 09 Dec 2009 - 10:33:03
CSKA Moscow could be thrown out of the Champions League after two of their players tested positive for a banned substance.
The news came in the wake of their 2-1 victory over Besiktas which seemed to have guaranteed their safe passage into the knockout stages for the first time ever.
CSKA Moscow stars banned for taking cold remedy before United showdown
Russian internationals Aleksei Berezutsky and Sergei Ignashevich failed the tests on 3 November, after a 3-3 draw at Manchester United.
They were banned for the game in Turkey yesterday but UEFA regulations state if two players from the same side test positive for banned substances, the team could be disqualified.
After the Besiktas game, manager Leonid Slutsky said: "I found out about the disqualification of [Berezutsky] and Ignashevich a minute before Monday's evening training session.
"That which does not kill us makes us stronger. There were 13 players on the field, not 11," he added.
A UEFA statement read: "Both players' A samples revealed the presence of a prohibited substance under the category "S6. Stimulants" from the WADA Prohibited List 2009."
The Russian side immediately issued a statement supporting both players and claimed they were given the cold remedy Sudafed by medical staff.
"The problem is that during the doping control procedures a clerical error was made by employees within our medical staff.
"Unfortunately, we do not yet fully understand all the circumstances of the case, but we have nothing to hide, and we believe our fans should be made aware of that.
"This situation has arisen in connection with the treatment of our players from a severe cold during their time with the national team, and not in any way with doping, which is also known by the relevant bodies within Uefa," read the statement.
European football's governing body is expected to meet on Thursday 17 December to discuss the case.
- by David Brenchley
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