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Xavier set for drugs ban

08/11/2005

Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier is facing up to being a year-long ban from football after a banned steroid was found in the B sample of his original drugs test.

The 32-year-old Portuguese star was suspended last month after failing an initial drugs test on September 29th but he has vehemently denied the accusations.

However, traces of the banned muscle-building anabolic steroid Dianabol have now been found in Xavier's B sample.

A Uefa spokesperson confirmed to the Times newspaper that a disciplinary panel will now convene on November 17th to determine the player's punishment.

"We can confirm that the B sample has confirmed the original findings and that Xavier has been charged with taking a banned substance known as Dianabol. He will now have a personal hearing," the spokesperson said.

Xavier spent two and a half years at Everton after moving to Goodison Park from PSV Eindhoven in 1999.

He also played for Liverpool but made little impression at Anfield and started just 13 Premiership games.

After spells with Galatasaray and Roma, he then joined Boro in the summer on a free transfer.

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