Veteran Matildas defender fighting to clear her name after doping offence

It’s been revealed that Matildas veteran Aivi Luik withdrew herself from Olympics selection due to a football ban for a doping offence, rather than the hamstring injury making her unavailable.

Matildas veteran defender Aivi Luik has vowed to clear her name after she was banned from football for three months in relation to a bizarre doping offence.

Luik, 39, plays in the Swedish league for BK Hacken FF and was not selected in the Matildas squad for the Paris Olympics.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said Luik was unavailable for the Games because of a hamstring injury.

However, Luik said in the Sports Ambassador podcast this week that she withdrew herself from Olympic selection because of the charge.

Football Australia has refused to say when it was informed about Luik’s charge.

“We are aware of the ongoing investigation and, as such, are unable to comment at this time,” an FA statement said.

“As with all our national team players, we are committed to providing full support, including access to wellbeing and counselling services.”

Aivi Luik has been fighting a three-month ban. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Luik said she called Gustavsson to inform him of the matter after she received an email in April.

“I just knew that first of all, as much as I tried, I wouldn’t be able to train at my best and be 100 per cent, which is what is needed from every single athlete in the team,” Luik said on the podcast.

“More so than that, I was terrified at the thought of this affecting the team because we had a really great chance going into that tournament to do well and finally win a medal.

“I was just so scared of the thought that maybe something like this comes out during the Olympic tournament and what that would do for the girls and the team in general … just how it would take the focus off them and probably negatively affect their performance.

“There was no way I could do that. I had to call up Tony (Gustavsson) and just pull my name from selection.”

Luik didn’t return a positive drug test, in fact it seems she wasn’t tested at all.

The matter is in relation to a painkiller injection she was given in 2022 for a back injury while playing for Italian club Pomigliano.

The doctor gave her an approved painkiller that contained a substance that was banned by the World Anti-Doping Code for use in competition, which meant Luik couldn’t take it on the day she was due to play.

It has been reported that her club applied for the wrong kind of exemption certificate.

Aivi Luik pulled her name from Olympic selection to keep the ban out of the news. Picture: Supplied

Luik didn’t play the match following the injection but sat on the bench and was stood down by the club for the final games of the season after the application was rejected.

Nado Italia, the anti-doping regulator, said that had Luik been tested on that day for a banned substance she would have failed the test.

“They later kind of clarified that I couldn’t play because of the fact that there’s a washout period for this substance, which is 60 days, and that’s the two months suspension,” Luik said on the podcast.

“So I later came to understand that what they had told me was the suspension was actually just them saying, ‘OK, this is the washout period. You can’t play now.’

“I didn’t feel, I guess, back then, per se … (like) a drug cheat.”

Her contract ended with the Italian club and Luik made the move to her current team in Sweden.

Luik thought the matter was all over and she was part of the Matildas team for the World Cup last year.

Injury aside, Luik had been in top form and the defender was part of Gustavsson’s plans for the Olympics.

It all unravelled when Luik received an email on April 24 alerting her to the charges.

Luik took the case to the Italian anti-doping tribunal but was unsuccessful.

“There was no test to say that I was positive, yet they’re saying that it had a performance-enhancing effect. So how can you say that?” she said.

“They stated that I didn’t intend to commit the violation and they found that I had a very slight amount of negligence.

“Because of strict liability, they gave me the three months.”

Luik’s is weighing up whether to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

She has shared on social media her disbelief at the charges.

“As you may have heard in the media, I have been charged with an anti-doping rule violation and banned from playing football for three months,” Luik said.

“I still can’t believe I’m in the middle of this and I truly believe a mistake has been made.

“I hope to be able to continue to fight to appeal this ruling and prove my innocence.

“Either way, although this has been the most difficult time in my career, I am grateful for the chance to tell my story as it stands right now and for all the support I’ve received.”

Professional Footballers Australia has come out in support of Luik.

“The PFA acknowledges the bravery of our member Aivi Luik to tell her story in the wake of her recent doping suspension,” a statement said.

“Aivi has been in constant contact with the PFA throughout this difficult period and we will continue to ensure she is supported with the full resources of the players’ association.

“Aivi’s case further highlights the need to establish an anti-doping system that respects the fundamental rights of athletes and is effective in pursuing its stated objectives.

“In speaking out, Aivi has once again demonstrated the courage and character she has always shown on and off the pitch.”

Originally published as Veteran Matildas defender fighting to clear her name after doping offence