SL Benfica midfielder Nuno Assis has been suspended from football after testing positive for a banned substance in a Portuguese Liga game against CS Marítimo on 3 December.

Pleading innocent
The 28-year-old pleaded innocent to the charges at a press conference today. "We always think these kinds of situations only happen to other people but I have never used any banned substance," he said. "I know my situation is not easy at the moment but I have faith in all the people who are on my side."

Potential outcome
If found guilty, Nuno Assis could face a suspension of between six months and two years. He has played ten league games this season and two in the UEFA Champions League. Benfica take on Liverpool FC in the knockout stage of that competition later this month.