In November 2016 the Malta Football Association (MFA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Ian Zammit after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cocaine. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete was heard for the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board.
The Athlete asserted that there was a false positive test result caused by the medication he had used as treatment for his condition.
The Board finds that the test result showed the presence of the prohibited substance and accordingly that the Athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation. The Board considers that the Athlete failed to produce any evidence in support of his assertation about a false positive and failed to establish that the violation was not intentional nor No Significant Fault or Negligence.
Therefore the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board decides on 18 April 2017 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 16 November 2016.
