Jordan claim test makes striker sick
MELBOURNE: Jordan lodged a formal protest at the Asian Cup yesterday after claiming a bungled doping test had made one of their players vomit.
Striker Ahmad Hayel could miss the game against Palestine tomorrow after he was made to drink “several litres of water” as a result of being unable to provide a urine sample following Monday’s 1-0 defeat by Iraq.
It caused him to vomit and feel dizzy, according to the Jordanian FA and a team doctor said the test had to be cancelled.
Jordanian FA general secretary Fadi Zureikat said the association had made a formal protest to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) complaining about the “unhealthy procedure taken in doping test for Ahmad Hayel”.
The AFC insisted that the proper protocol had been followed.
But Zureikat added: “Ahmad Hayel arrived at the hotel after the doping test [in a] semi-coma, and with hypothermia. The doping control room was too cold. The player was given water to drink for four hours [only water without any liquids containing salts or electrolytes].
“Ahmad Hayel began vomiting [and received] no medical care presence from the AFC. No ambulance was called for the player.
“He was suffering low blood pressure, and we had to take the player back to the hotel by private car, in a wheelchair, while he was unconscious.”
Jordan coach Ray Wilkins was said to be furious at the incident, which could deprive him of the player for tomorrow’s game in Melbourne, slamming the dope testers for acting in a “dangerous” manner after the match in Brisbane.