A 16-year-old footballer in the UK has been given a nine-month ban from all sport for possession of a growth hormone.
It was the first Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) by the player who was found in possession of a pen-type dispenser containing somatropin when he was 15 years old.
Somatropin is a growth hormone that is banned at all times in sport under the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2019 Prohibited List.
The English Football Association (The FA) charged the footballer on 8 July last year, alleging a breach of its 2019/20 Anti-Doping Regulations.
⚽ A 16-year-old footballer (name redacted due to age) who committed a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for possession of a banned substance, has received a nine-month ban from all sport.
Full decision 👉 https://t.co/4HAs4QWbJz#BanFromSport pic.twitter.com/5FVn71V7Bh— UK Anti-Doping (@ukantidoping) February 24, 2021
Nine month ban backdated by independent Regulatory Commission
The FA convened an independent Regulatory Commission to consider the case and on 12 January this year it decided that the footballer should be issued with a nine-month ban from all sport.
The footballer has been provisionally suspended by The FA since 7 August so the independent Regulatory Commission decided to backdate the ban which means that he will be free to play when the ban finishes on 7 May 2021.
Speaking on the case, the UKAD Director of Operations, Pat Myhill highlighted the important role that parents and those looking after young athletes have in setting an example about competing in sport clean.
"Athletes, their parents and the teams they play for, all have a role to play in helping to keep sport clean," said Myhill.
"This case demonstrates that the anti-doping rules apply to all athletes, regardless of age, and serves as an important reminder of the serious consequences that can apply if those rules are broken.
"If you are responsible for a young athlete, you should take a proactive approach to ensure their participation in clean sport and help to protect them from the risks of doping."
"For more of these stories, visit otbsports.com."
