Samir Nasri

Former France international Samir Nasri has been banned for a six-month period after receiving a drip treatment in Los Angeles back in December 2016. The France international parted ways with Antalyaspor before the turn of the year, and it has now been confirmed that the 30-year-old won’t return to competitive action until the start of the 2017/18 campaign.

Nasri is permitted to appeal the ban, but it is unclear whether he will consider the option, given there is a slender chance of revoking the suspension. A UEFA statement read: “The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has rendered its decision following disciplinary proceedings opened on 6 March 2017 against the player Samir Nasri for violation of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations.

“The player Samir Nasri has been found guilty for using a prohibited method in accordance with sub-section M2, par. 2 of the WADA Prohibited List. In this context, the CEDB has decided to suspend Samir Nasri for six (6) months for violation of the World Anti-doping Code and the UEFA Anti-doping Regulations. This decision was taken on 22 February and is open to appeal.”

Nasri’s short visit to Drip Doctors was made after he had felt weakness and vomiting. However, he was given the treatment in quantities of more than 50 millilitres per six-hour period, which is strictly prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Prior to this announcement, the Frenchman had been linked with a potential move to Zenit St Petersburg, but it is now certain that he is unlikely to return to any form of football until the summer.

Nasri made eight starts during his half-a-season in the Russian Premier League, and it will be interesting to see how the future paves for the Frenchman, who was once rated as one of the finest talents in France. Like Hatem Ben Arfa, Nasri’s career has dwindled over the past couple of years, and things are unlikely to get any easier as he enters the final phase of his playing career.