Jordan McMillan fails to have two-year drugs ban overturned on appeal
Monday 14 September 2015 11:15, UK
Former Partick Thistle defender Jordan McMillan has been suspended from all sport for two years after failing an in-competition drugs test.
The 26-year-old tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, following a match against Celtic on December 3, 2014.
McMillan, who began his career at Rangers in 2005, was initially banned for two years by the National Anti-Doping Panel on April 21, 2015.
He appealed that ruling but the original decision was upheld when the NADP re-convened in Glasgow on July 21. As a result McMillan is banned from all competitive sport from December 18, 2014 to December 17, 2016.
In a statement, UK Anti-Doping chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: "UKAD's role is to protect the integrity and spirit of sport, and athletes, at all levels, need to understand the importance of Strict Liability.
"They are solely responsible for any banned substance that is found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there was an intention to cheat or not.
"The principle of Strict Liability can be challenging for athletes. They have to ensure that they understand the anti-doping rules and that their family, friends, coaches and athlete support personnel understand them too. They need to be aware of the risks their career faces if they test positive, and ensure they manage that risk at all times."
McMillan left Rangers for Dunfermline in 2012 before joining Thistle, where he made 29 appearances. His contract was terminated by the club following the failed drugs test.
