Bans for Stam and Guardiola

Jaap Stam and Josep Guardiola have been given backdated bans and fines following their positive tests for the banned steroid nandrolone.

Five months for Stam
S.S. Lazio defender Stam, 29, tested positive after a Serie A game against Atalanta BC on 13 October. The Dutch international has now been given a backdated ban of five months after a ruling by the Italian league's disciplinary commission in Milan on Thursday.

Innocence protested
Stam could return for Lazio's home league game against AC Hellas-Verona on 21 April. After his hour-and-a-half hearing, Stam protested his innocence again. "I came to Italy because it was a good move for my career," he said. "I felt that at 29 I could grow as a player. For what motives would I risk my career? I have no reason."

Guardiola gets four months
Brescia Calcio midfield player Guardiola failed a drug test after the Serie A match against Piacenza FC on 21 October and another test in a match against Lazio on 4 November. The 30-year-old Spanish international has been given a backdated ban by the commission of four months.

World Cup hope
Guardiola will be free to play from 22 March and his first match could be the home Serie A game against Perugia two days later. The reduced suspension will now give him more time to force his way back into the Spain squad in time for the FIFA World Cup finals.

Denied taking nandrolone
Both players, who were suspended as soon as the positive tests were made public, have also been fined €50,000. The pair, who have constantly denied taking any illegal substance, will have to undergo a stringent programme of random testing once their suspensions finish. Their respective clubs have vowed to appeal the bans.

Recommendation revised
The Italian anti-doping prosecutor had initially suggested a ten-month ban for Stam and one year for Guardiola before revising the recommendation to eight months and nine months respectively.