Blatter backs Mexico leniency over doping
Reuters - Sunday 10 July 2011, 02:43
PACHUCA - FIFA President Sepp
Blatter has supported the Mexican Football Federation's (FMF)
decision not to punish five Mexico players who tested positive
for clenbuterol in May.
FMF disciplinary chief Alfonso Sabater said on Friday the
body would not sanction the players because they had ingested
the banned substance accidentally by eating tainted meat.
"We're totally in agreement with the decision taken, we've
contacted WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)... we have a copy of
the report," Blatter told a news conference in Pachuca on
Saturday.
"It's definitely a case of food contamination and it's a
warning for everyone," said Blatter, who is in Mexico for
Sunday's final of the Under-17 World Cup between the host
country and Uruguay.
The players - goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, defenders
Francisco Rodriguez and Edgar Duenas and midfielders Antonio
Naelson 'Sinha' and Christian Bermudez - were booted out of the
CONCACAF Gold Cup in June after failing doping tests conducted
at Mexico's national team training base on May 21.
Four more players later showed traces of the banned
substance in their system although below the threshold for
testing positive.
Clenbuterol can be used to speed up and increase muscle mass
in animals and FMF officials said the federation would start
buying meat from a new supplier.
An expected deal for Ochoa to join promoted French Ligue 1
side Ajaccio was put on hold last month over the scandal.
Mexico went on to retain the Gold Cup beating hosts United
States 4-2 in the final.