Stam suspended over drugs test
Friday, November 16, 2001
Article summary
S.S. Lazio defender Jaap Stam has failed a test for the banned steroid nandrolone, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) announced on Friday.
Article body
Suspended immediately
The Dutch international, who joined Lazio from Manchester United FC in August, has been suspended with immediate effect pending a disciplinary hearing on Saturday at 14.30CET.
CONI statement
A CONI statement read: "The test was done on 13 October 2001 after the Serie A match between Lazio and Atalanta. The Rome laboratory has revealed in the analysis a presence of the metabolic substance nandrolone. The athlete [...] will be immediately suspended from all sporting activities."
New rules for testing
Where players previously had to fail two tests before CONI could take any action, its new drug-testing rules, which came into effect on 21 October, state that a player can be suspended after a first test, which is the case with Stam. The Dutchman will have a second test within the next fortnight.
'Sick at the suggestion'
"I cannot believe what's happened and feel sick at the suggestion I would take drugs," Stam is quoted as saying in Saturday's edition of Britain's Sun newspaper. "I do not know why the test should come out positive and I am in a state of shock.
'It is ridiculous'
"One thing I can say without hesitation or doubt is I have never knowingly taken nandrolone or any other illegal substance," added Stam. "I am not - and have never been - a cheat and would never do anything like this to jeopardise the happiness of my family or the future of my career. It is ridiculous to suggest that I would whatever the results say.”
'Surprised by the news'
Andrea Campi, the head of Lazio's medical team, was perplexed by the announcement, saying that Stam had tested negative during a club test four days after the Atalanta match. "We are all very surprised at this news," he said. "Our players, and above all one like the Dutchman, use mineral salts and medicines which are totally certified according to the codes set out by CONI."
Couto back from ban
Stam is the second Lazio player to fail a test for nandrolone. Portuguese international Fernando Couto has just returned from a ban, while Juventus FC's Edgar Davids and FC Barcelona's Frank de Boer have also been suspended following failed tests.
