In January 2019 the Malta Football Association (MFA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Gianluca Calabretta 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 admitted the violation and explained that he had used the substance out-of-competition in a social event before the match in question.
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 violation was not intentional without grounds for No Significant Fault or Negligence.
Therefore the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board decides on 29 April 2019 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 14 January 2019.
