Dispatches: Truth About Drugs in Football

nath_scfc · 12-09-2011, 09:40

Channel 4, 8pm tonight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Sun

THE identity of a top Premier League footballer who tested positive for cocaine will be revealed tonight.
He was later sold by his club in a multimillion pound deal but his new team were not told of the drug test, a TV investigation claims.

The star will be named by Channel 4 show Dispatches as it focuses on the use of recreational and performance-enhancing drugs in football.

The show claims to have discovered the identities of dozens of footballers who have failed drugs tests for cocaine and cannabis.

Their names have been kept secret by the Football Association and their clubs.

It is also claimed 240 drugs tests had to be abandoned between April 2007 and August 2010 after officials turned up at training grounds to discover the players were not there.

The show claims to have official documents that show three former England internationals and one Scottish star faced doping investigations after suspicious levels of testosterone were found in their urine.

All four were later cleared of wrongdoing.

David Howman of the World Anti Doping Agency said the FA needed to be more open about drug testing.

He added: "If you don't, then you are susceptible to an allegation you're hiding something."

The FA said it abides by the World Anti Doping Agency code.

Who do we think it is then? Remember to add allegedly to your post... :high:

I'm going to take a guess at Andy Carroll. Allegedly.

***Joel*** · 12-09-2011, 10:27

I reckon Joey Barton. Allegedly.

**Ziss** · 12-09-2011, 10:31

Sneaky punt on Asamoah Gyan.

Allegedly.

nath_scfc · 12-09-2011, 10:41

Do you reckon Jimmy Bullard could fit the bill? Ex-England, was a top Premier League footballer at the time he moved to Hull. How about Wes Brown? Luke Young?

I still think Carroll has got to be the favourite.

EDIT: I mis-read the ex-England thing...

**Ziss** · 12-09-2011, 11:19

Wes Brown was only £1m, so hardly "multi"-million.

Carroll has to be favourite.

nath_scfc · 12-09-2011, 13:09

Click for a list of drug offences since Adrian Mutu until June 2010. Most unnamed or already known.

One theory discussed is that the majority of cases are largely unknown players given a second chance, meaning Dispatches will be putting names to cases previously kept unidentified.

Another idea is that a player has tested positive for coke when younger, possibly even at academy level, and has since gone on to bigger things. This seems most plausible imo.

The other option is it's someone established who has done this while their reputation is fully built. That would be the biggest scoop, partly in that it's surprising it's been kept quiet until now.

TheAlchemist · 12-09-2011, 13:44

My moneys on Nile Ranger

Armed street robbery
Drink driving
Assault
And This

Thats a pretty impressive rap sheet for a footballer whos only 20.

**Bish** · 12-09-2011, 13:46

Surely the Scottish player is Gary O'Connor, not that I give a shit.

Carroll does seem odds on, I'll go Wright-Phillips for the craic.

***Joel*** · 12-09-2011, 13:46

Ranger hasn't been transferred though.

nath_scfc · 12-09-2011, 13:50

Could be Roman Bednar? I remember a story about him getting caught out before...

There was a lot of talk about John Halls having a ban around here previously, while we were in the Championship. Never played in them Premiership though, unless he did while he was at Arsenal or Reading? Do you recall him Bishop?

**Bish** · 12-09-2011, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by nath_scfc

Could be Roman Bednar? I remember a story about him getting caught out before...

There was a lot of talk about John Halls having a ban around here previously, while we were in the Championship. Never played in them Premiership though, unless he did while he was at Arsenal or Reading? Do you recall him Bishop?

Yeah I remember him. Never played in the Prem. All I remember is a sending off in a Carling Cup game against Utd. Dunno about his Reading days.

nath_scfc · 12-09-2011, 13:55

Cracking player, massive tool.

**Ziss** · 12-09-2011, 13:59

Ólafur Gottskálksson

A lifetime ban for not taking a test, when the worst they'll dish out is 9 months for someone found guilty of taking drugs?

Where's the sense in that? :-/

**Dragonfly** · 12-09-2011, 14:01

It is Jordan Henderson.

nath_scfc · 12-09-2011, 14:19

Alan Hutton's name is being circulated. Allegedly.