Subrata Paul failed dope test conducted before international friendly against Cambodia

EXPERIENCED KEEPER SUBRATA PAUL IS IN TROUBLE as he fails a dope test conducted by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The test was conducted when the national team had camped in Mumbai before heading to Cambodia for a friendly match.

Born in 1986, Subrata has played for India and has over 40 caps. He has won the prestigious  Nehru Cup twice, won the AFC Challenge Cup  and has won the SAFF Championship once and been a runner-up on another occasion.

Subrata earned the nickname 'Spiderman' for his acrobatic saves during the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and represented India for over a decade. He was conferred with the Arjuna Award last year. The Arjuna Awards are given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, government of India to recognize outstanding achievement in National sports.

What is the test about?
The dope test is a check on atheletes if they are using substances that are used to improve performance in any form of activity. They usually work by causing the body to build more muscles or by limiting muscle fatigue.

Could this have had happened accidently to Subrata?
Yes, there have been cases where atheletes have consumed medicines based on prescription that may contain the substances banned by the NADA. Lay persons may not be able to tell whether a particular medical prescription contains the banned substances. Therefore, being in the sport professionally there are officials who are appointed to make sure the player's are doing everything that is within the laid rules of the agencies like NADA.

Can Subrata appeal?
Reports say Paul has failed in the Sample A of the test and has an option of appealing against the judgement and asking Sample B to be tested, which, if fails, will have a more severe punishment than the current punishment after failing the Sample A test.

The implications

Under WADA rules, the National Anti-Doping Agency will have to inform the player as well as the federation about the dope result. The player has the right to request for a confirmatory 'B' sample test. He will be put under provisional suspension pending his 'B' sample test. Under new WADA rules, a first-time dope offender will serve a maximum period of four-years.

UPDATE

 Subrata Paul said he will go for the 'B' sample test and claimed that he will prove his innocence.  
 

"I am shocked at this news that I failed a dope test. I have not got any official communication from the NADA or the AIFF. I am getting to know about this from the media. I will prove my innocence as I have played the game with honesty and integrity in my career of more than 10 years now," Pal said, as reported by PTI 

"I will request for the 'B' sample test as I believe that I have not done anything to fail a dope test. All the players were tested during the Mumbai national camp and I never thought that my sample will return positive," he added 

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