As we come to the end of the football season, news broke this week that Spurs player Chioma Ubogagu has been hit with a nine-month doping ban after being charged by the FA with a doping violation.
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The banned substance was canrenone, metabolised from spironolactone, which Ubogagu was first prescribed by a personal doctor in the United States as a treatment for acne before she joined Spurs last summer. The issue was flagged in November when she then requested a repeat prescription from Spurs’ club doctor.
Ubogagu had continued to use the US-prescribed medication to treat her skin without knowing it was listed as a banned substance. The FA does, however, accept that 29-year-old did not deliberately use the medication to gain an unfair sporting advantage.
Chioma Ubogagu suspended 9 mo. bc prescribed acne medication caused failed doping test. FA review agreed it was innocent mistake, still suspended her. I know it's different orgs but even uptight USADA only warned Hope Solo for same substance. Fucked up.https://t.co/AKwjLbQ2E2
— Steph Yang | Horrible Soccer Goose (@thrace) May 19, 2022
I’ve been banned for nine months for a doping violation.
I can’t play, train or even go to watch a game until next season.
I’m not gonna lie to you, that sucks. It really does.
This is why, with @TPTFootball.https://t.co/23iFSHkmiz
— Chi (@ChiAlreadyKnow) May 19, 2022