Xavier banned for 18 months

MIDDLESBROUGH’S Abel Xavier has been given an 18-month suspension after he tested positive for a banned substance.

The 32-year-old, who was tested after Boro’s UEFA Cup game in Xanthi on September 29, was given the suspension at a personal UEFA hearing in Nyon.

Xavier tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid dianabol, but has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

He can appeal against the decision within three days of being given a written reason for the suspension.

He is the first Premiership player to be found to have taken performance-enhancing - as opposed to recreational - drugs.

Edgar Davids, now with Tottenham, was found guilty of taking nandrolone while with Juventus, while Jaap Stam was found to have taken it while at Lazio, after leaving Man United.

UEFA said in a statement: “The player was found guilty of being in breach of the UEFA anti-doping regulations. As a result, the UEFA control and disciplinary body decided to impose an 18-month ban on Abel Xavier.”

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren said: “We are going to take a couple of days to digest everything before we put out a full statement and decide what to do.

“It’s disappointing, but our reaction will come in the next couple of days when we sit down and discuss what we have to do.”

Club spokesman Dave Allan added: “We are aware of the decision and the clear implications it has for Abel and for his contract with Middlesbrough Football Club.

“However, we have an important UEFA Cup game against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night and we will not be making any further comment until Friday.”

Middlesbrough signed the Portuguese international on a free transfer in August following his release by Italian side Roma.

Xavier is thought to have claimed he took the drug unknowingly after buying a diet supplement from the USA that had been contaminated.

He said in October he was “convinced that there is a reasonable and entirely harmless explanation for such a positive finding, should it be confirmed by the analysis of the B sample.”

But the B sample also tested positive, to leave Xavier facing a suspension which threatens his future.

The defender was suspended by UEFA for nine months after Euro 2000 after he grabbed the arm of the assistant referee following a controversial decision in Portugal’s semi-final loss to France. His ban was later reduced by three months on appeal.