Paul can play until he’s proven guilty: NADA

Sabi Hussain

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 25

Indian goalkeeper Subrata Paul hasn’t been placed under provisional suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) despite a positive test for a banned substance, confirmed NADA director general Navin Agarwal. Paul, 30, can continue to represent the Indian team and his I-League club, DSK Shivajians, for the time being until he was proven guilty by a NADA hearing panel, Agarwal further informed.

The Tribune had reported on Monday that Paul’s urine samples collected during the national camp in Mumbai on March 18 tested positive. Paul’s ‘A’ sample has returned positive and he would be given one week’s time by the NADA to get his ‘B’ sample tested in person. Paul has confirmed to appear for the ‘B’ sample test to prove his innocence.

Paul’s ‘A’ sample has traces of terbutaline, a bronchodilator commonly administered for cough and cold. Sportspersons, however, must apply for a TUE (therapeutic use exemptions) certificate before using the drug. According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), terbutaline is placed in the ‘beta-2 agonists’ category and its consumption is prohibited at all times.

“A substance like terbutaline doesn’t qualify in the high-risk category. It doesn’t automatically invite a mandatory suspension and an athlete can continue to play a tournament or be part of the national camp. This particular footballer hasn’t been placed under the provisional suspension because of the nature of the drug and its impact on an athlete’s performance,” Agarwal said.

“After his ‘B’ sample testing, he would be charged and the proceedings would commence. He could present his case before the NADA panel. After due process and once it’s proved that he is guilty, the ineligibility period will be imposed on him,” he added.

Agarwal informed that Paul was staring at a ban of two to four years from national and international competitions. The NADA DG, however, made an interesting observation that in Paul’s case, the onus would be on the anti-doping watchdog to prove that the footballer administered the drug “intentionally”. Terbutaline is a “specified substance” in the NADA’s list of prohibited substances.

“This means that the drug can’t necessarily be used for performance enhancement. It has the ingredients, but doesn’t mean that an athlete has consumed it for the same purpose. In certain dope cases, the burden of proving innocence lies with the athletes, but in this case, we have to prove Paul is guilty. It’s up to the panel to decide the sanction,” he added.

Paul shocked 

Paul, an Arjuna awardee, was shocked to hear about the failed dope test but vowed to fight his case. “I will prove my innocence as I have played the game with honesty and integrity,” Paul said. 

“All the players were tested during the Mumbai national camp and I never thought that my sample would return positive. I have built a reputation and I have achieved a lot in my career, for my clubs and for my country. At this point in time in my career, I do not need anything like taking a banned drug to enhance my performance.”