The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend sanctions imposed on five players and one official from Egypt, Algeria, France, Tunisia and Malta for anti-doping rule violations to have worldwide effect.
The sanctions, which were extended in accordance with art. 136 ff. of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, relate to the following cases:
- Walid Othman Mohamed Elawadi of Egypt was banned by the Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Committee from any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of four years. The Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Appeal Panel confirmed the imposed sanction. The official is banned until 6 January 2020.
- Noufel Ghassiri of Algeria was banned by the Disciplinary Committee of the Algerian Professional Football League from any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of four years. The Federal Appeal Committee of the Algerian Football Association confirmed the imposed sanction. The player is banned until 23 October 2019.
- Adama Seck of France was banned by the Doping Control Committee of the French Football Association from any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of six months. The player is banned until 31 July 2016.
- Sami Helal of Tunisia was banned by the Federal Disciplinary Committee of the Tunisian Football Association from any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of two years. The player is banned until 28 September 2017.
- Larson Mallia of Malta was banned by the Control and Disciplinary Board of the Malta Football Association from any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of two years. The Appeal Board of the Malta Football Association confirmed the imposed sanction. The player is banned until 3 May 2017.
- Nigel Rizzo of Malta was banned by the Control and Disciplinary Board of the Malta Football Association from any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of two years. The Appeal Board of the Malta Football Association confirmed the imposed sanction. The player is banned until 3 May 2017.
The relevant parties have been duly notified of the chairman’s decisions.
FIFA continues to work closely with its member associations in the fight against doping. One of the main pillars of FIFA’s anti-doping strategy is prevention through education, and in recent months, FIFA has launched a series of prevention initiatives as part of its ongoing efforts to keep football free from doping. The aim is to raise awareness among players, coaches and doctors on the dangers of doping and provide appropriate educational tools for doping control officers across the world.