UEFA bans 2 players for doping in Europa League

Published Aug. 20, 2012 6:01 p.m. ET

foxsports

UEFA imposed one-year bans on two players from Macedonian club Rabotnicki on Monday after they tested positive for doping.

Milovan Petrovic and Dino Najdoski failed drugs tests after a Europa League playoff-round match against Lazio on Aug. 18, 2011, UEFA said.

The substance involved was not identified but Macedonian media has reported that it is the stimulant methylhexaneamine.

Petrovic, a 22-year-old forward, and Najdoski, a 20-year-old defender, will miss the entire season and be eligible to play again next July. UEFA reduced their bans by 45 days for time served while provisionally suspended.

UEFA also suspended Rabotnicki physiotherapist Darko Velcevski and club doctor Mihajlo Ivanovski from ''any football-related activity'' for three and two years, respectively.

''FIFA has been asked to extend the punishments imposed on these four people so as to give the bans worldwide effect,'' UEFA said.

UEFA's disciplinary panel also banned Rabotnicki from the next European club competitions it qualifies for, though the sanction is deferred for a four-year probationary period. The club must pay a ?30,000 ($37,000) fine.

All the sanctions can be appealed.

Despite having two doped players, Rabotnicki lost 6-0 in Italy, and was beaten 3-1 by Lazio in the return match in Macedonia.