Two Salzburg players fail doping tests after Mali game

By: The Associated Press Posted: 5:49 AM CST Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 Last Modified: 8:40 AM CST Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020

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SALZBURG, Austria - Two players from Austrian champion Salzburg have failed doping tests after returning from international duty with Mali last month.

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SALZBURG, Austria - Two players from Austrian champion Salzburg have failed doping tests after returning from international duty with Mali last month.

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This article was published 22/12/2020 (2069 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SALZBURG, Austria – Two players from Austrian champion Salzburg have failed doping tests after returning from international duty with Mali last month.

Midfielder Mohamed Camara and forward Sekou Koita reported being given medication for altitude sickness before an away game against Namibia on Nov. 17 in qualifying for the African Cup of Nations, Salzburg said on Tuesday.

They tested positive on Nov. 22 in Austria in UEFA testing ahead of a Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, the club said. Salzburg didn’t name the banned substance in question but said it was “a key ingredient” in the altitude sickness medication the players were allegedly given.

Salzburg's Sekou Koita attempts a shot at goal during the Champions League group A soccer match between RB Salzburg and Atletico Madrid in Salzburg, Austria, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Andreas Schaad)

Salzburg said it supports the players and wants to clear up what happened while the players were with the national team.

“We are very proud when our players are called up to their national teams. For a full international match, you have to expect though that medical work will conform to international standards, with doctors who are familiar with the rules,” Salzburg general manager Stephan Reiter said in a statement.

Camara and Koita have played regularly for Salzburg since the date of the positive test. Salzburg told The Associated Press in an emailed comment the club “did not get any information” from UEFA about provisional suspensions for either player. Provisional suspensions are often applied after positive doping tests until cases are resolved.

Salzburg will play Spanish club Villarreal in the Europa League last 32 on Feb. 18 and 25.

UEFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.