FIFA's Ruling on Two Players Accused of Doping Announced - 2003-12-24

The Disciplinary Committee of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), chaired by Swiss 'Marcel Mattier', held a meeting yesterday. According to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), this meeting was convened to review and announce the verdict regarding the positive doping tests of Amir Azmi (Egypt) and Alexander Wacke (Germany). The mentioned players were tested during the matches between Egypt and Japan, and Germany and the United States, respectively, with their test results coming back positive. These players, who were summoned prior to the disciplinary committee meeting to provide necessary explanations, denied the use of any performance-enhancing drugs. After reviewing written reports and hearing the statements of Professor Jerry Durak, the head of FIFA's medical committee, the following decisions were made: Amir Azmi was banned from competitions for using nandrolone from December 9, 2003, to February 8, 2005, and was fined 15,000 francs. Additionally, Alexander Wacke was suspended from competitions for 7 months (from December 19, 2003, to July 8, 2004) for using tetrahydrocannabinol and was also fined 10,000 francs. This suspension applies to all domestic, international, friendly, and official competitions. It is noteworthy that the mentioned players have the right to appeal within three days.