Doping? Never cheated: Subrata
INDIA GOALKEEPER has failed a dope test for banned substance Terbutaline, to seek advice from AIFF
India goalkeeper Subrata Paul denied taking a banned substance after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed that it has received a report of him failing a dope test.
Paul’s sample tested by the National Anti-doping Agency (NADA) had traces of terbutaline, said a source in the AIFF.
Terbutaline is a bronchodilator and is taken when people have trouble breathing or a medical condition such as asthma. It is also present in commonly used expectorants administered for cough and cold. Athletes, however, must apply for a TUE (therapeutic use exemptions) certificate.
NEVER CHEATED WITH FOOTBALL
“I am shocked. I have never cheated with football and trust me, I never will till my last day in this sport. All those who know me and I mean players, coaches and officials at all the clubs that I have played in and those with the national team will tell you I am not someone who would take a banned substance,” Paul, an Arjuna award winner in 2016, told HT over the phone from his residence in Sodepur, a suburb near north Kolkata, on Tuesday.
“Moreover, I have been subjected to at least 15 such tests in my time with the national team and have never failed one. There have also been random tests after I-League games too. At this stage of my career, why would I do something like this? I am going to talk to the AIFF (All India Football Federation) and seek advice. I have also reached out to the medical staff at North East United, DSK Shivajians and the national team doctor. I have not taken any medicine without prescription,” he said.
Paul, 30, is with DSK Shivaji- ans in the 10th I-League. Paul didn’t play the last match where they lost 0-7 to Bengaluru FC because, he said, the coach wanted to rest some players. Paul can continue playing but should the B sample too test positive, all points DSK got in matches he played will be taken away. He played with North East United in the Indian Super League last year.
Paul was tested last month at an India preparatory camp before the friendly against Cambodia which preceded the 2019 Asian Cup qualifier away to Myanmar. The camp began on March 12 in Mumbai. As procedure, all national teams in Olympic disciplines are subjected to these random tests by NADA.
AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said, over the phone from New Delhi, that DSK Shivajians have been informed. “It is entirely up to Subrata now. He can seek a B sample test done and should that also test positive, he could face a more severe sanction. Or he can appeal and hope for leniency. Of course, if he asks us for help, we will guide him about what to do,” said Das.
Football has in India has been blighted by dope test failures in the past. Defender Arun Malhotra, then with East Bengal, couldn’t travel to the 2002 Busan Asian Games because of one. In 2011, Nishant Mehra of Mumbai FC failed a test conducted by the I-League. Failing a random dope test in the I-League in 2015, Mumbai FC’s Dane Pereira was banned.
I am shocked. I have never cheated with football and trust me, I never will till my last day in this sport. SUBRATA PAUL, India goalkeeper