In January 2019 the English Football Association (FA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the player Michael Phenix after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Oxandralone and Cocaine. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete filed a statement in his defence and was heard for the FA Regulatory Commission.
The Athlete gave a prompt admission and explained that because of his medical condition he suffered from weight loss which he sought to manage with steroids. Prior he had mentioned his use of steroids on the Doping Control Form and indicated to the Doping Control Officer.
He testified that his use of Cocaine was Out of Competion with 15 pints of beer that evening. He admitted that due to the chaos in his life he had a relationship with alcohol and had used Cocaine for many years.
Considering the evidence in this case the Commission finds that the Athlete knew that he had consumed steroids or some other prohibited substance and holds that the presence of Cocaine Out of Competition is a breach of the FA’s Social Drugs Policy Regulations. The Commission deems that the Athlete didn’t suffer a mental impairment to such extent as to cause him to take the substance or to interfere with his decision-making processes.
Therefore the FA Regulatory Commission decides on 26 April 2019 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 17 September 2018.
For the Athlete’s Breach of the Social Drugs Policy the Commission impose a suspension of 3 months starting on the date of the sample collection including a warning as to his future conduct.
