World Cup captain Cannavaro fails drugs test after cortisone injection for bee sting
Juventus say the cortisone injection Cannavaro received for a bee sting on August 29 contributed to the test result. Photo: Getty Images
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Friday October 09 2009
ITALY'S preparations for tomorrow's World Cup showdown with Ireland have been rocked by the news that captain Fabio Cannavaro has failed a drugs test.
The 36-year-old was not due to play at Croke Park because of suspension, but has been pencilled in to return to Marcello Lippi's side for the Azzurri's concluding Group Eight game with Cyprus on Wednesday.
Juventus, have blamed the doping test failure on a cortisone injection used to treat a bee sting on August 29 -- just before he linked up with the Italian squad for the World Cup qualifying victories over Georgia and Bulgaria.
Cortisone is a banned substance and Cannavaro had sought an exemption to receive treatment, but his application was missing relevant documentation and he was tested while awaiting a verdict. The Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping unit have opened an investigation and a hearing could take place as soon as next Friday. Cannavaro should be free to play against Cyprus, although that is at the discretion of the Italian FA.
lethal
Cannavaro, capped 129 times for Italy, will be interviewed today, while Juventus released a statement last night saying they had followed all medical rules, adding that the treatment was "indispensable to avoid eventual complications, even lethal."
It's not the first time that the player and Juventus have been embroiled in a doping scandal. Italian football has a colourful recent history in the area, with former Juve physician Riccardo Agricola convicted in 2004 of administering banned substances to players between 1994 and 1998.
A year later, an Italian TV documentary showed Cannavaro getting injected with a performance-enhancing substance in Moscow on the night before Parma's 1999 UEFA Cup final win. The substance in question, neoton, a creatine phosphate, was not on any banned lists in Italy at the time.
Cannavaro could face at least a three- month ban from the game if the hearing rules against him. Two years ago, AC Milan striker Marco Borriello was banned for that period of time after testing positive for cortisone.
Irish football has recently had a taste of similar controversy. Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, who had fallen out of international favour, is currently serving a nine-month ban after testing positive for the stimulant, ephedrine.
- Daniel McDonnell
Irish Independent
