Holland captain Frank de Boer protested his innocence and vowed to fight to clear his name after a second positive test for nandrolone. A urine sample taken from the Barcelona midfielder after the UEFA Cup quarter-final against Celta Vigo on March 15 tested positive for the banned substance.
The second test, conducted in Lausanne and performed on another sample taken after the same game, also gave a positive reading for the hormone, revealing a nandrolone level of 7.1 nanograms while the first measured 8.6. The permitted level is two. The hormone occurs in the body naturally and there is some debate over what the 'normal' level should be.
The testing at the Swiss clinic was delayed, but the player was reluctant to reveal any details and believes the doubt will make any sanction difficult to enforce.
“There were indeed some problems (with the second test), but my lawyer thinks it is better to be quiet about that. The 7.1 result doesn't mean anything to me and neither does the fact that the norm is too high according to the rules. I did not take anything and the fact that the test came out positive again, well, I have nothing to do with that,” de Boer said.
De Boer's international team-mate Edgar Davids was suspended indefinitely earlier this month by the Italian football association (FIGC) after he failed a test following a Serie A match with Udinese on March 4. The Juventus midfielder is awaiting a hearing with the FIGC to learn the full extent of his punishment. (PA)
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
