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Five Mexican soccer players suspended for positive drug tests

2011-06-10 09:54 Xinhuanet

MEXICO CITY, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) on Thursday suspended five players from its men's national squad after they tested positive for a banned substance.

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, Christian Bermudez, Edgar Duenas, Antonio Naelson and Francisco Javier Rodriguez all tested positive for clenbuterol, which is used for treating respiratory problems.

The suspended players were declared ineligible for Mexico's Gold Cup tournament match against Cuba on Thursday night in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mexican soccer officials told a press conference on Thursday that the players most likely consumed meat contaminated with clenbuterol last month while participating in a national team training camp.

Farmers giving clenbuterol to fatten animals continues being a problem in Mexico, where illnesses resulting from the problem have been reported with some regularity.

The German National Anti-Doping Agency recently warned its athletes of the risk of eating clenbuterol-contaminated meat while competing in Mexico.

Decio de Maria, Mexican Football Federation secretary-general told reporters that the players were tested at the same time on May 21.

Mexico defeated El Salvador 5-0 on Sunday in the opening match of the Gold Cup, a tournament for member countries of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).

De Maria said the positive drugs tests would not impact the opening match result.

CONCACAF officials are scheduled to meet Friday to discuss the suspensions.

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