Laziridis tests positive
Former West Ham and Birmingham winger Stan Lazaridis has tested positive for a banned substance, his club Perth Glory confirmed today.
Lazaridis, who returned to play in Australia last year, recently tested positive for the banned substance finasteride, an offence which carries a maximum two-year ban.
The former Socceroos club, however, claim the 34-year-old was using the drug to treat a medical condition, believed to be alopecia, which causes hair loss.
“Lazaridis has a medical condition requiring treatment,” the club said in a statement on their website.
“The prescribed treatment contains a substance which may act as a masking agent and as such is prohibited under the FFA’s Anti-Doping Policy.
“Lazaridis received a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) issued by the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) providing him permission to use the substance in January 2007.
“Perth Glory FC will support Lazaridis through the process. He also has the support of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and has engaged senior legal counsel.”
Lazaridis last played for Australia in October in a friendly against Paraguay. Football Federation Australia have convened an anti-doping tribunal to determine where Lazaridis has a case to answer.
