Not the best of weeks for Ajax
Andre Onana, the Ajax and Cameroon goalkeeper, has been handed a one-year doping ban for failing an out-of-competition drugs test.
A statement from the Dutch club confirmed that they intended to appeal the suspension, which Uefa have imposed with immediate effect
The disciplinary body of the European football association, UEFA, has imposed a suspension of 12 months on Andre Onana for a doping violation.
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) February 5, 2021
Traces of forbidden substance Furosemide were found in Onana’s urine after a test in October of last year. Ajax claim the goalkeeper mistakenly took medicine prescribed for his wife, explaining the failed test.
‘On the morning of October 30, Onana was feeling unwell. He wanted to take a pill to ease the discomfort,’ Ajax’s statement explains. ‘Unknowingly, however, he took Lasimac, a drug that his wife had previously been prescribed.
‘Onana’s confusion resulted in him mistakenly taking his wife’s medicine, ultimately causing this measure to be taken by Uefa against the goalkeeper.
‘Furthermore, the disciplinary body of the football association has stated that Onana had no intention of cheating. However, the European Football Association believes, on the basis of the applicable anti-doping rules, that an athlete has a duty at all times to ensure that no banned substances enter the body.’
Edwin van der Sar, Ajax’s CEO, admitted the punishment had been “harsh” in an interview given to the Amsterdam club’s in-house media.
“We absolutely do not agree with it being so harsh,” he said. “Together with Andre we are going to take the next steps.”
'We absolutely do not agree with it being so harsh.'@VdSar1970 about @AndreyOnana’s suspension of 12 months.
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) February 5, 2021
Ajax will now take their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The news caps a week to forget for Ajax, who, despite being seven points clear at the top of Eredivisie, learned they will be without record signing Sebastian Haller in the knockout stages of the Europa League after an admin error saw his name left off the squad list.
