Veteran Punjabi film actor Nirmal Rishi receives Padma Shri
New Delhi, April 25
Acclaimed Indian goalkeeper Subrata Paul was on Tuesday provisionally suspended after failing a dope test but has vowed to prove his innocence by going for the confirmatory ‘B’ sample test.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Kushal Das said Paul, an Arjuna Awardee, flunked an out-of- competition test last month. Paul is faced with the prospect of a four-year ban.
“The banned substance is terbutaline. According to the NADA letter to AIFF, Subrata is under provisional suspension,” Das told PTI.
Terbutaline is a bronchodilator and is taken when people have trouble breathing or a medical condition such as asthma.
It is also present in commonly-used expectorants administered for cough and cold. But, athletes must apply for a TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemptions) certificate if they want to use asthma-related drugs.
According to WADA, terbutaline is placed in the category of ‘beta-2 agonists’, which is prohibited at all times (in competition and out-of-competition)
Asked if Paul can still play for his club DSK Shivajians in their last I-League fixture at home against Minerva Punjab on April 30, Das said, “He can apply for a B sample test as well as simultaneously appeal for the lifting of this provisional suspension.
“Once he appeals (for lifting of this provisional suspension), he can play but in case the NADA Panel rules against his appeal whatever match he has played after NADA’s intimation to us that he has failed his A sample test will be forfeited (his club will be declared to have lost the match).”
Das said Paul’s urine sample was taken by NADA on March 18 when the Indian team was in the national camp in Mumbai.
All the players were tested during that camp.
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.
The 30-year-old 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.
“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.
Paul, who made his India debut in 2007 and went onto represent the country 64 times till 2015, said he has achieved most of whatever he had set out for in his career. And there is no reason for him to do cheat and risk tarnishing his reputation.
“The AIFF officials, the fans, fellow players and the media knew that I have been an honest player throughout my career. I have built up a reputation and I have achieved a lot in my career, for my clubs and for my country. At this point in time of my career, I do not need anything like taking a banned drug to enhance my performance.
“So, I am shocked at this development. My reputation is at stake and I want to clear my name. That is why I will go for the ‘B’ sample test,” he said.
Paul, from West Bengal, has been one of India’s finest goalkeepers. He was the number one goalkeeper during the time Englishman Bob Houghton was at the helm of affairs as India coach and Bhaichung Bhutia as the captain.
He played a major role in India winning the Nehru Cup international tournament in 2007 and 2009.
