’Keeper Paul fails dope test, to appeal
: India goalkeeper Subrata Paul denied taking a banned substance on Tuesday following a positive dope test and will appeal to the National Anti-doping Agency (NADA) after it found traces of terbutaline in his ‘A’ sample. “Yes, he will appeal, and although it is entirely between Subrata and NADA, we will help him,” said Kushal Das, general secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Paul, an Arjuna award winner in 2016, said he has seven days to present his version to NADA. Paul could face a four-year ban.
Terbutaline is a bronchodilator and is present in commonly used expectorants administered for cough and cold. Athletes, however, must apply for a TUE (therapeutic use exemption) certificate before using it.
“I am shocked. I have never cheated with football and trust me, I never will.
“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 that I am not someone who would take a banned substance,” said Paul over the phone from his residence in Sodepur, a suburb near north Kolkata.
Paul, 30, is with DSK Shivajians in the 10th I-league. Paul didn’t play the last match that 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 get in matches he plays will be taken away. He played with North East United in the ISL last year.
Paul was tested last month in Mumbai at an India preparatory camp before the friendly against
2019 Asian Cup qualifier away to Myanmar. As a procedure, all national teams in Olympic disciplines are subjected to these tests by NADA The respective federa