editorial comment Hey, how come "addicts" are able to perform at an elite level? Drugs make you lazy, crazy and unable to function don't they? That's what the government say! it must be true....

Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu has admitted testing positive for cocaine and is facing a lengthy ban. Here we look at other high-profile drugs cases in football.

MARK BOSNICH
The Australian goalkeeper tested positive for cocaine in December 2002 and was charged by the Football Association with breaching doping regulations and bringing the game into disrepute.
Chelsea sack the player, who appeals to the Premier League. However, the league conclude that he was not unfairly dismissed. Banned for nine months in April 2003, a ban backdated to December 2002. The FA rejected an appeal against the ban in September 2003 and though no longer suspended, he is yet to find another club.

EDGAR DAVIDS
The tigerish Dutch midfielder was at Juventus when he tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone in 2001. The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) recommended an eight-month ban but Davids ultimately served just less than four months. Now with Inter Milan.

JAAP STAM
The Holland international centre-back failed a test for nandrolone just three months after signing for Lazio from Manchester United. He protested his innocence, but was banned for five months and fined 50,000 euros. Now with AC Milan.

FERNANDO COUTO
The big-haired former Portugal captain also tested positive for nandrolone while at Lazio. He was originally suspended for 10 months but this was reduced to four months after Edgar Davids successfully appealed against the length of his ban.

CLAUDIO CANIGGIA
The Argentinian striker was banned for 13 months in 1993 after a positive test for cocaine. He managed to get his career back on track and played for Dundee and Rangers in the SPL.

DIEGO MARADONA
One of the greatest players of all-time but with a chequered history when it comes to drugs. Banned for 15 months in 1991 by the Italian authorities for narcotic use while at Napoli, he received another suspension of the same length after a 'cocktail' of banned substances were found in a sample he provided at the 1994 World Cup. His addiction to cocaine and other health problems almost cost him his life earlier this year.

RIO FERDINAND
The Manchester United defender received an eight-month ban after he missed a drugs test in September 2003. The player passed a test 36 hours later but was nevertheless hit with the lengthy suspension and has only recently returned to action for club and country.

SHANE NICHOLSON
In 1998 full-back Nicholson was banned for life for refusing to submit to a random drugs test. Sacked by his club West Brom, he returned to football in 1999 with Chesterfield after a successful rehabilitation for drink and drug problems. Moved on to Stockport, Sheffield United and Tranmere before rejoining the Spireites this summer.

CARLOS GURPEGI
The Athletic Bilbao midfielder tested positive for 19-Norandrosterone, a nandrolone derivative, in September 2002. He was banned in February 2003 while the case was investigated but the suspension was lifted following an appeal by his club two months later. He was handed a two-year ban by the Spanish FA in May 2003 but again Athletic successfully appealed for him to carry on playing. The Spanish Committee for Sports Discipline (CEDD) upheld the Spanish FA's sentence but yet again an appeal succeeded and Gurpegi played on. The ban was lifted by the Audiencia Nacional, a civil court in Madrid, until such time as the case was brought to a definite conclusion by CEDD. Gurpegi has played six Primera Liga games so far this season.

back | to top | full article >>