The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend sanctions imposed on six players from Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Algeria, South Africa, Congo DR 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:

-         Husayn Zaynalddin of Saudi Arabia 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 player is banned until 29 February 2020.

-         Sergei Shostak of Belarus was banned by the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body of UEFA from any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of six months. The player is banned until 20 November 2016.

-         Hocine Amrous 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 player is banned until 9 April 2020.

-         Byron Mark Cottle of South Africa was banned by the CAF Disciplinary Board from any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of two years. The player is banned until 28 April 2018.

-         Christian Ngudikama of Congo DR was banned by the CAF Disciplinary Board from any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of two years. The player is banned until 30 March 2018.

-         Jacob Farrugia 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 7 March 2018.

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.