PORK COULD CAUSE DRUG TEST FAILURE

A PORTUGUESE expert has warned that eating certain meats could lead to athletes failing doping tests, stating that controversial steroid nandrolone can be produced by consuming animal testosterone.

Amidst the ongoing problems in Italy - in which high profile players Fernando Couto and allegedly Juventus star Edgar Davids have tested 'non-negative' for nandrolone, Professor Jorge Barbosa, a Portuguese vet, has stated that pork or beef from uncastrated animals could provide a positive test.

"The probability is real and it is scientifically proved that if an athlete eats an average quantity of pork from an animal which has a high concentration of nortestosterone the athlete can fail a doping test," said Professor Barbosa to Russian newspaper Pravda.

If evidence can be produced that meat could be the culprit of the recent spate of failed tests in Italy, it could cause a storm in Serie A - where two Perugia players have already received lengthy bans for testing positive in mandatory checks.

Couto has long stated his innocence of taking nandrolone, and revelations that Davids could be the latest to fail the tests has raised a storm of controversy amongst senior figures in the Italian game.