London: Former Manchester United and Arsenal midlfielder Samir Nasri has been handed a six-month suspension by the UEFA, European football’s governing body, for breaking its anti-doping regulations.
The 30-year-old’s ban came in the wake of an investigation into an intravenous drip treatment, which he had received from a private clinic while he was on holiday in Los Angeles back in December 2016.
While announcing Nasri’s suspension, the UEFA, which opened disciplinary proceedings against the Frenchman onMarch 6 last year, said, “The player Samir Nasri has been found guilty for using a prohibited method in accordance with sub-section M2, par. 2 of the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) prohibited list.”
The statement from the UEFA added: “In this context, the CEDB (control, ethics and disciplinary body) has decided to suspend Samir Nasri for six months for violation of the World Anti-doping Code and the UEFA anti-doping regulations.”
According to the WADA rule, there is a 50-millilitre infusion limit per six-hour period for active athletes but it was alleged that Nasri had received 500 millilitres of hydration in the form of sterile water containing micronutrient components, the Mirror reported.
Nasri, who is a two-time Premier League winner and appeared in over 300 games for Arsenal and Manchester City, is currently a free agent after mutually terminating his contract with Turkish outfit Antalyaspor in January.(ANI)