Cameroon Goalkeeper Onana Receives 12-Month Suspension
June 05, 2023Cameroon's Andre Onana, an international goalkeeper, faces a 12-month suspension for failing an out-of-competition test involving Furosemide.
Onana Claims Accidental Ingestion of Wife's Prescribed Medicine
Professional soccer player Andre Onana has found himself embroiled in a doping controversy. The talented goalkeeper, who currently plays for the renowned Dutch team Ajax, has recently claimed that he inadvertently took a medicine prescribed for his wife, leading to a positive test for the prohibited substance Furosemide.
In a press release from the soccer club Ajax, it says: The disciplinary body of the European football association, UEFA, has imposed a suspension of 12 months on Andre Onana for a doping violation. After an "out of competition" check on October 30 last year, the goalkeeper found the substance Furosemide in his urine. The suspension is effective from today and applies to all football activities, both national and international.
Will appeal
Onana and Ajax will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Managing director Edwin van der Sar: “We explicitly renounce performance-enhancing drugs, we obviously stand for a clean sport. This is a terrible setback, for Andre himself but certainly also for us as a club. Andre is a top goalkeeper, who has proven his worth for Ajax for years and is very popular with the fans."
"We had hoped for a conditional suspension or for a suspension much shorter than these twelve months, because it was arguably not intended to strengthen his body and thus improve his performance.”
High number of doping cases
Onana's case is not the first involving Furosemide, as the Anti-Doping Database has recorded a total of eight cases linked to this substance. Interestingly, Brazil has the highest number of registered cases with three. This database provides a comprehensive overview of doping cases and sheds light on the prevalence of prohibited substances in various sports.
Examining the Anti-Doping Database further, we discover that Furosemide has been implicated in a total of 370 cases. Wrestling tops the list with 58 cases, followed by Bodybuilding with 44 cases, and Boxing with 34 cases. These statistics reveal the widespread usage of Furosemide in these particular sports and highlight the ongoing battle against doping in the athletic world.
High Number of Doping Cases in Soccer
The Anti-Doping Database has registered an alarming 314 cases involving doping in soccer. Among the countries with the highest number of cases, Italy takes the lead with 31 recorded instances. This revelation underscores the challenges faced by the soccer community in maintaining fair play and integrity within the sport.
Among the substances most commonly detected in soccer doping cases, Nandrolone takes the top spot with 43 instances, followed closely by Cocaine with 32. These figures shed light on the variety of substances abused by soccer players in an attempt to gain a competitive edge, emphasizing the need for stringent anti-doping measures and education programs.
Onana's assertion that he mistakenly ingested his wife's prescribed medication raises questions about the reliability and effectiveness of current anti-doping protocols. While accidental ingestion is a plausible scenario, it is crucial for athletes to take utmost care in managing their medications and to be aware of the potential risks associated with any substances they consume.
It remains to be seen how Onana's case will unfold and what consequences he may face. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against doping in sports and the constant need for vigilance and stringent testing procedures to maintain the integrity and fairness of athletic competition.
For more information on anti-doping regulations and the fight against doping, please visit the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) official website: https://www.wada-ama.org/
Sources:
- AJAX: UEFA bans Andre Onana for twelve months
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport shortens Onana's suspension
- CAS reduces the period of ineligibility imposed on André Onana for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation from 12 months to 9 months
News reports
- Andre Onana opens up on 'stupid mistake' that led to drug ban
- Andre Onana and UEFA’s Anti-Doping Regulations – A Cautionary Tale
- André Onana on the error that led to a nine-month ban: ‘40mg can destroy a career’
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on the latest available data and is subject to change as the case progresses.