Lazaridis hit with ban

Australian suspended over hair treatment

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 5th September 2007

lazaridis stan

Lazaridis: Banned

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Stan Lazaridis has been banned until the start of December for failing a drugs test.

The Australian tested positive for the prohibited substance Finasteride in November 2006, although the result stemmed from a treatment he was receiving for alopecia.

Lazaridis had disclosed his condition and received permission to use the drug in England, where he played until joining Perth Glory last summer.

But he was only given the formal go-ahead to use the drug by Australian authorities in January this year, two months after the positive test.

Lazaridis' suspension has only been confirmed after a lengthy legal process, which included a formal hearing of Football Federation Australia's anti-doping tribunal in May.

It has now been decided that he should serve a 12-month ban, although his sentence will be backdated to the date of his positive test.

Lazaridis will therefore be unable to play for Perth until their A-League match against Melbourne Victory on 2nd December.

Vigilant

A statement from Football Federation Australia said the case illustrated the importance of athletes complying strictly with the regulations and procedures governing anti-doping.

"The tribunal made certain express findings regarding Stan's good character which FFA welcomes," said FFA chief executive Ben Buckley.

"In particular it found that Stan had not taken the prohibited substance to mask a performance enhancing drug, but for legitimate therapeutic purposes as prescribed by his doctor.

"The problem related to the processes, which is why it is so important for all athletes to be vigilant."