Two Collingwood footballers have tested positive to a performance-enhancing drug.
The Magpie pair, Lachlan Keeffe and Josh Thomas, have tested positive to the presence of the drug clenbuterol in samples collected earlier in the year.
The players have both been suspended after recording a failed test in the A sample collected earlier in the year. The B sample is due to be tested and returned in April. Clenbuterol is on the WADA banned list as a performance enhancing drug.
If proven the players are facing a lengthy suspension and possible dismissal from the club.
Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert did not return calls from Fairfax Media but the Magpies are understood to be considering their legal position with regards to the players.
It is unknown what the players' explanation for the presence of the drug is.
Clenbuterol is a drug used for asthma that is also often used by body builders as a body sculpting drug that helps burn fat and build muscle. It is this effect of creating leaner meat with a higher muscle to fat ratio that has seen it used in meat production in some countries.
Famously in 2011 more than 100 Mexican footballers tested positive to the drug but were cleared after it was established the drug as used in farming in the country and was often present in meat in the country.
Update: The club will be holding a press conference later this afternoon with CEO Gary Pert + Director of Football Neil Balme. — Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC)
March 30, 2015
Collingwood player Jack Crisp is also presently under investigation for gambling on football last year while he was at the Brisbane Lions.
Pert made headlines more than two years ago when he alerted clubs to the game's illegal drug problem and "volcanic" behaviour by some players during the off season.
Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador tested positive to clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour de France but he argued that the positive result was due to contaminated meat, his appeal failed and he served a suspension.
More to come
The analysis of the B sample is currently scheduled for 14 April 2015. Under the code, players have consented to release of this statement. — Patrick Keane (@AFL_PKeane)
March 30, 2015
