FIFA extends sanction on Ishmael Grech for anti-doping violations

The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend sanctions imposed on two players from Malta and Cuba for anti-doping rule violations to have worldwide effect.

The Malta sanction, which were extended in accordance with Article 136 (ff) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, relate to former Tarxien footballer Ishmael Grech, who was banned by the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel of the Malta Football Association from any kind of football-related activity for a period of one year and three months.

The player is banned until 28 July 2017.

“FIFA continues to work closely with its member associations in the fight against doping. One of the main pillars of FIFA’s anti-doping strategy is prevention through education, and in recent months, FIFA has launched a series of prevention initiatives as part of its ongoing efforts to keep football free from doping. The aim is to raise awareness among players, coaches and doctors on the dangers of doping and provide appropriate educational tools for doping control officers across the world,” FIFA said.

According to a decision of the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, Grech had tested positive for cocaine after a football match on 20 March, 2016. The urine samples were sent for testing in Germany.

During his disciplinary hearing, the footballer confirmed that he had taken the substance two days before the match during the night of St Patricks Day, during which he claimed “he met a young lady who took him to the toilets and offered him cocaine.”

According to his oral submissions, Grech said he refused to sniff the cocaine and that he put it in his drink. He said it was his first time he consumed the drug, and that he did not think of the consequences it would have.

“He reiterated he took the substance without any intention to enhance his performance but out of curiosity and because he got carried away by the events of the night,” the panel heard.

Grech submitted that he would agree to a one-year ban, while the NADP decide that he would be banned for one year, three months running from 29 April, 2016.