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Testing irregularities found

France's Dugarry cleared of charges of taking drugs

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Posted: Thursday September 16, 1999 09:39 AM

Dugarry, who has always denied taking drugs, is still a regular on the French team. Ben Radford/Allsport

PARIS (AP) -- The French Football Fedeation on Thursday cleared French World Cup star Christophe Dugarry of taking the banned drug nandrolone, throwing the case out on a technicality, the athlete's lawyer said.

The federation found a number of irregularities in the testing process, including the fact that the doctor was not authorized by the Sports Ministry to administer the test, said Jean-Jacques Bertrand, Dugarry's attorney.

"The commission decided to annul the entire disciplinary procedure," Bertrand said. "It's good for Christophe."

The federation announced in June that the combative striker had tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone after a league match for Olympique Marseille against Lyon on April 30.

The 27-year-old former AC Milan and Barcelona star played in last year's World Cup, including the final against Brazil, and is still a regular on the French team.

Dugarry has always denied taking drugs.

French soccer has been hit by drug scandals in recent years. Cyril Pouget and Vincent Guerin have been given six-month bans for taking the same drug, which helps muscle development and reduces fatigue.

 

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