Asian Cup 2015: Jordan star player Ahmed Hayel faces four-year ban after botched drugs test

JORDAN’S football governing body (JFA) claim that their star player Ahmed Hayel suffered a “semi-coma and hypothermia” after a botched drugs test.

AMMAN, JORDAN - MARCH 26: Ahmed Hayel of Jordan celebrates kicking a goal during the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier match between Jordan and Japan at King Abdullah International Stadium on March 26, 2013 in Amman, Jordan. (Photo by Kaz Photography/Getty Images)

JORDAN’S football governing body (JFA) claim that their star player Ahmed Hayel suffered a “semi-coma and hypothermia” after a botched drugs test.

The striker potentially faces a four-year ban under WADA’s new rules, for failing to provide a sample after their loss to Iraq on Monday.

Hayel looks set to miss Friday’s crucial Group D game against Palestine at AAMI Park, pending a formal appeal lodged by the JFA.

Ahmed Hayel potentially faces a four-year ban.

“Ahmad Hayel arrived to the hotel after the doping test suffering from polar, semi-coma, general weakness, and hypothermia,’’ the JFA said in a statement.

“After investigating with the player and the Jordanian team’s medical officer, the following was reported:

“Doping control room was too cold. The player was given water to drink for four hours (only water without any liquids containing salts or electrolytes).

“The player remained at the doping room for hours after the match and he was very tired. Ahmad Hayel ended up vomiting at the doping room with no medical care presence from the AFC and no ambulance provided or even called for the player. He was in a semi-coma status suffering low blood pressure, and at the end the player was sent to the hotel by a car and not with an ambulance and carried to his room on a wheelchair while unconscious.’’

The AFC released a statement, defending the test.

“The AFC would like to clarify that the doping test… was conducted as per the AFC Anti-Doping Regulations.

“The player was unable to complete the required procedure due to his dehydrated condition.

“He had some dizziness, felt nausea and vomited after his second attempt, which was an hour after his first attempt, to give urine sample for the test and as such the AFC Medical Officer, Dr. Paisal Chantarapitak decided to discontinue the doping control procedure on the said player.’’

Dr. Chantarapitak was also quoted in the statement: “As per the procedure, the AFC Medical Officer always recommends players selected for doping control to drink water as per normal practice, especially for the player who has played for 90 minutes.

“It is at the player’s discretion to follow the recommendation or not. The player is not forced to drink plenty of water in short time.

“The assistant team doctor of Jordan national team was present during the entire doping procedure.’’

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Jordan star player Ahmed Hayel faces four-year ban after botched drugs test