DOHA —
Saudi Arabia announced Sunday they
have dropped Fahad Al-Muwallad from their World Cup squad as a “precautionary
measure” after the winger was initially included despite failing a doping test
earlier this year.
اضافة اعلان
The 28-year-old, who plays for Saudi club side
Al-Shabab, tested positive in February for the banned drug furosemide, which
can be used as a masking agent to prevent the detection of anabolic steroids.
Muwallad was banned for 18 months by Saudi anti-doping
authorities but, according to Saudi media reports, that ban was subsequently
reduced, clearing him to participate in the 2022 World Cup.
It is understood that decision was referred by the
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with CAS
yet to make a ruling.
The Saudi team said on its Twitter feed that “after
reviewing the latest developments in the WADA appeal” and following
consultations with Saudi lawyers, coach Herve Renard decided to exclude
Muwallad as a “precautionary measure”.
Renard has brought in midfielder Nawaf Al-Abed, who
also plays for Al-Shabab, as a replacement for Al-Muwallad, who was also
suspended in 2019 over a previous doping case.
Saudi Arabia opens their World Cup campaign against
Argentina on November 22.
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