Drug test breached Ramadan

2003-11-06 16:23

Manchester - Manchester City midfielder Christian Negouai, who is a Muslim, was upset at having to break his Ramadan fast and drink water to provide a urine sample for a drug test.

Muslims are forbidden to eat or drink between dawn and sunset during the holy month of Ramadan. UK Sport tested Negouai on Tuesday.

"He was forced to drink water so he could get a urine sample, and he didn't want to do it," manager Kevin Keegan said.

"On the one hand, I am saying to him, 'If you don't take the test it will look very suspicious.' But from the other end, it is his belief, his religion. It's where the crossover comes in, and we have to respect it."

Negouai, a Frenchman born on the Caribbean island of Martinique, was fined £2 000 ($3 350) last season after missing a drug test.

"Because of what happened last season, Christian is going to get tested two or three times," Keegan said. "But he was upset about having to break the rules of Ramadan."

UK Sport said testers did nothing wrong.

"In no circumstances would a sportsman or woman be forced to drink water," chief executive Richard Callicott said. "Also, no time limit is put on a provision of a sample. The doping control officer will stay with the competitor for as long as necessary."

Published reports said Keegan would discuss the issue with the Football Association's medical officer, Alan Hodson.

The drug controversy is the latest to hit English soccer.

England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was left off the England team for a key Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey last month after failing to take a drug test on Sept. 23. He was charged with misconduct and faces a possible lenghty ban.

UK Sport said last week two players tested positive for cocaine and ecstasy during random tests between July 1 and Sept. 30.

- AP