A sixteen-year-old youth player from a Premier League club has been suspended for nine months, the British anti-doping organization UKAD reports. The footballer, whose identity is being kept hidden because of his age, was caught in possession of the drug somatropin. This is a growth hormone that is on the list of prohibited substances of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
On July 8, 2020, it was determined that the player in question was in possession of the drug somatropin. The growth hormone is used to treat growth failure in children and adults. This is only for people who do not have normal growth hormones. The footballer had no reason to have the banned substance and was suspended by the English Football Association (FA) on August 7, 2020 for all sports-related activities.
An independent regulatory commission has now placed the player on a nine-month suspension. The FA was ruled in favor of possession, but it has not been proven that the footballer actually used the drug. The player will be eligible to play again from 7 May 2021. It is unknown whether his club will take any action as a result of the suspension.
Pat Myhill, UKAD Director, said on his organization’s website: “This case demonstrates that anti-doping rules apply to all athletes regardless of age and serves as an important reminder of the serious consequences that can arise if those rules If you are responsible for a young athlete, you have to take a proactive stance to ensure that they participate in a clean sport and help protect them from the risks of doping. “