By Alexander Krassimirov
September 26 – The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has provisionally suspended a Bulgarian international footballer for an initial period of 30 days following an adverse drug test conducted after a World Cup qualifier played in Valletta, Malta, on September 10.
The analysis of the “A’ sample has revealed the presence of prohibited substances included in WADA’s 2013 Prohibited List.
The decision taken by the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee was duly communicated to the Bulgarian Football Union on 26 September.
According to Bulgarian media, the player involved is from the current league champions Ludogorets Razgrad, Yordan Minev (pictured). The right-sided defender played with a knee injury against Malta and underwent intensive treatment during the camp in Palermo where Bulgaria played against Italy. He was given an injection to ease the pain enabling him to play in the game.
Bulgarian football headquarters have expressed surprise at the doping control result, as before the match, team doctor Biser Bochev documented to FIFA the actions taken to alleviate the injury.
The decision to provisionally suspend the player was taken in accordance with articles 38ff of the FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations and articles 129ff of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
In line with article 74 paragraph 2 of the FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations, only after it has been determined in a hearing that an anti-doping rule violation has occurred, or after such hearing has been waived, or the assertion of an anti-doping rule violation has not been timely challenged, may FIFA publicly report the anti-doping rule that has been violated, the name of the player who has committed the violation, the prohibited substance and the consequences imposed.
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