Tottenham Women’s player banned for nine months for doping violations

Daniel Brown

Ubogagu will be banned until October 2022

Tottenham Women striker Chioma Ubogagu has been suspended by the FA for nine months for two doping rule violations.

The 29-year-old, who joined the club from Real Madrid this year, will be banned until October 2022. Her ban is backdated from when a provisional suspension started at the beginning of the calendar year.

A Football Association (FA) statement stated that a banned substance – canrenone – had been found in a testing sample in October 2021.

Spurs’ statement on the matter notes that club doctors informed authorities in November that Ubogagu had been using medication which, unbeknownst to her, contained canrenone.

Rare doping case announced in English football: Tottenham player Chioma Ubogagu banned for 9 months after testing positive for masking agent Canrenone that was in anti-acne tablets.

Not intentional doping but she didn't do enough to check the medication had a banned substance

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 19, 2022

“An independent Regulatory Commission has suspended Tottenham Hotspur Women’s Chioma Ubogagu for nine months following two Anti-doping Rule Violations (ADRVs),” the FA said.

“The forward was charged with two ADRVs under The FA’s Anti-Doping Regulations for the presence and use of canrenone, which is a banned substance, and had been detected within a urine sample collected during a squad test on Thursday 7 October 2021 by UK Anti-Doping.

“Chioma Ubogagu admitted the two ADRVs, which the Commission accepted were committed unintentionally, and found that Chioma Ubogagu had established that she committed them without significant fault or negligence on her part during a subsequent hearing.

“The Commission imposed a nine month period of ineligibility.”

Spurs issue Chioma Ubogagu update

Tottenham released a statement which confirmed that Ubogagu had not played for the club since January following a provisional suspension. The London outfit also sought to explain the circumstances around her use of the prohibited substance.

We can confirm that Chioma Ubogagu has been charged with an anti-doping violation and has accepted a nine-month suspension.

Chioma will not be eligible to feature for the club until she has served her suspension that runs until October 2022.

— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) May 19, 2022

“Chioma was prescribed two forms of medication in the United States from a personal doctor to treat acne before signing for the Club,” the statement read.

“The 29-year-old continued to take the medication to treat her skin condition after she arrived without the knowledge that the medication was prohibited.

“In November 2021, Chioma requested a repeat prescription from the Club doctor who alerted the relevant bodies; the FA and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) about the use of a banned substance.

“The FA accepts that Chioma did not take the medication, spironolactone, with a view to intentionally securing an illegal advantage.

“Both the Club and Chioma fully cooperated with the FA and UKAD during the disciplinary process and Chioma has been unavailable for selection since the provisional suspension was imposed in January.

“Chioma takes full responsibility for the charge and deeply regrets her actions admitting a lack of knowledge and awareness on her part.”

Ubogagu responds

In response to being banned for nine months, Ubogagu said: “I am so sorry to my teammates and staff that I can’t be out on the pitch. The Club has been fully supportive throughout this entire process, and I am so appreciative of all their help. My faith, family, and close friends have helped me immensely in this difficult time. I am eager to be back soon now that this has been resolved.

“I want to make clear that the medication had no performance-enhancing effects for me, but I still made the mistake of not being as diligent as possible, and as a result I am unable to play the game I love until I serve my suspension. While my dermatologist is aware of my profession, it is also my responsibility to know more about the medications I am prescribed.”

I’ve been banned for nine months for a doping violation.

I can’t play, train or even go to watch a game until next season.

I’m not gonna lie to you, that sucks. It really does.

This is why, with @TPTFootball.https://t.co/23iFSHkmiz

— Chi (@ChiAlreadyKnow) May 19, 2022

Spurs enjoyed a decent Women’s Super League campaign this season, finishing in fifth position having won nine of their 22 matches.

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