Subrata Paul, India goalkeeper who was charged with the violation of anti-doping rule earlier this year had been released from his provisional suspension. National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) let him go with a warning. According to them, Paul was able to prove his innocence and that his dope violation was not intentional.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been directed to take action against national team doctor by the regulatory body. Paul’s dope sample was tested positive in National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) for the presence of prohibited substance – Terbutaline (Beta-2-Agonist) – as per the WADA prohibited list 2017. This sample was collected on 18th March during an out of competition test conducted by NADA.
NADA released the statement saying, “In this case, the anti-doping rule violation involves a specified substance and the athlete was able to prove that the dope violation was not intentional. Under Article 10.5.1.1 of the NADA code wherein, a provision for no significant fault or negligence is available, Subrata Paul has been reprimanded for anti-doping rule violation although no period of ineligibility has been imposed upon him. His suspension stands revoked with immediate effect.”
The disciplinary panel also strictly warned AIFF saying, “The Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel has also warned the All India Football Federation for negligence as it has failed to provide guidelines to be followed by team doctor appointed by them. It is a strict liability of the federation to take absolute precaution for prohibited substances in any form either in medicines or dietary/nutritional supplements.”
Also, the panel has asked to take actions against the Indian National team doctor. “The doctor during his appearance before the panel had admitted in writing that he failed to take due care in prescribing the medicine to the athlete which led to his ingestion of prohibited substance. The federation has been directed to take necessary action against the team doctor,” stated the release.