Paddy Kenny Banned for nine months...

[Lee]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_5543128,00.html

Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has been suspended from football for nine months by the Football Association following a failed drugs test.

The Irish international failed a drugs test following last season's play-off semi-final clash with Preston North End.

The 31-year-old tested positive for the prohibited substance Ephedrine and he was charged under FA Rule E25 in relation to Regulation 2 of The FA Doping Control Programme Regulations.

He was suspended upon confirmation of his initial test on July 22, and he will now not be allowed to participate in any football until April 22, 2010.

The FA Regulatory Commission confirmed that although Kenny had 'on the balance of probability' not intentionally taken the substance - which is believed to have come from a cough medicine - they could not overlook the offence.

"The Regulatory Commission considered carefully the evidence and the submissions from both parties. Whilst we found that the Player satisfied us on the balance of probabilities that the substance was not taken with the intention of enhancing sporting performance, his admitted conduct displayed significant fault," chairman Christopher Quinlan stated.

"A professional sportsman including a football player has a strict responsibility to ensure prohibited substances do not enter his/her body.

"In this instance Mr Kenny knowingly ingested an over-the-counter medicine above the prescribed dosage without reading the accompanying package or leaflet and without reference to his club's doctor or other medical staff.

"It is incumbent upon all professional footballers to understand the perils and dangers of so doing and to act in the way he did, contrary to the Doping Control Programme delivered by The FA and in any event what should be a matter of common sense for a professional sportsman, showed in our judgment a complete disregard for those responsibilities."



Think the ban is a bit excessive really, but he should've known better.

[Craig_H]

Why is it excessive? Rio Ferdinand got the same, and he didnt even fail a test, just 'forgot' to take one.

Not excessive at all, them's the rules.

[Red_Polo]

Yeah, he 'forgot'

'Forgetting' being excused would mean you can always get away with it. Kenny was tested and they agreed he hadn't taken anything to enhance performance yet he's getting ****ed. I agree the rules are there for good reason but he deserves far more sympathy than Wio did in my opinion.

[Lee]

Why is it excessive? Rio Ferdinand got the same, and he didnt even fail a test, just 'forgot' to take one.

Not excessive at all, them's the rules.

Come on mate, he's taken a cough medicine. I don't think a bit of Calpol would really enhance his performance?!

Ferdinand, yeah he missed his test but could've been doped up to the eyeballs for all we know (though he almost certainly wasn't). It's like when you've had a few drinks and the Police pull you over for a breath test - you refuse and they will throw the book at you.

If you get my drift.

[Venton]

Mind you, when it comes to bans you can't beat boxing. He didn't inflict any violence on anyone (outside of the ring), didn't cheat and he is facing a 5 years ban. Puts footballers' tantrums into perspective.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-14482194.html.

[Lee]

Mind you, when it comes to bans you can't beat boxing. He didn't inflict any violence on anyone (outside of the ring), didn't cheat and he is facing 5 years. Puts footballers' tantrums into perspective.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-14482194.html.

**** me

[Ben_Itez]

Bit harsh but they're the rules i suppose. Perhaps a 3 month ban would have been in order.

Will he only effectively be banned for four months or so as he's not been able to play since he failed the test.

[Craig_H]

Yeah, he 'forgot'

'Forgetting' being excused would mean you can always get away with it. Kenny was tested and they agreed he hadn't taken anything to enhance performance yet he's getting ****ed. I agree the rules are there for good reason but he deserves far more sympathy than Wio did in my opinion.

I dont offer Ferdinand any sympathy. He was punished the same way as he would've been if he'd failed the test. Kenny's failed a test, so been punished in the same way as someone who's failed a test.

I honestly dont see a problem. It's harsh in the sense that the penalties are harsh, but that's for a reason.

[Craig_H]

Come on mate, he's taken a cough medicine. I don't think a bit of Calpol would really enhance his performance?!

Ferdinand, yeah he missed his test but could've been doped up to the eyeballs for all we know (though he almost certainly wasn't). It's like when you've had a few drinks and the Police pull you over for a breath test - you refuse and they will throw the book at you.

If you get my drift.

I dunno. Call me harsh if you like, but if i was a pro wil such a fantastic career (pro footballer) that was giving me a great life, i'd double check before i did anything that could potentiall ruin it all.

[Assassin]

I endorse dope testing, but struggle to see why the likes of Ferdinand and Rooney are not banned permanently.

No seriously now. with the highlighted statements, this case is not beyond reasonable doubt, he has bought an over the counter medicine and probably chugged on the bottle rather than using the dosage spoon. To ban a player for 9 months for this seems to be slightly petty, a hefty fine and a 6 match suspension would have been good enough and serve as a warning to others

--------------------------------------------------

The FA Regulatory Commission confirmed that although Kenny had 'on the balance of probability' not intentionally taken the substance - which is believed to have come from a cough medicine - they could not overlook the offence.

"The Regulatory Commission considered carefully the evidence and the submissions from both parties. Whilst we found that the Player satisfied us on the balance of probabilities that the substance was not taken with the intention of enhancing sporting performance, his admitted conduct displayed significant fault," chairman Christopher Quinlan stated.

[Assassin]

I dunno. Call me harsh if you like, but if i was a pro wil such a fantastic career (pro footballer) that was giving me a great life, i'd double check before i did anything that could potentiall ruin it all.

Hindsight is a wonderful gift!

[Scratch]

I dunno. Call me harsh if you like, but if i was a pro wil such a fantastic career (pro footballer) that was giving me a great life, i'd double check before i did anything that could potentiall ruin it all.

Hindsight is a wonderful gift!

There's plenty of precedent in the sporting world for this though, so it's not like they aren't aware of the dangers. Shane Warne (cricketer) got a two year ban for a similar offence i believe?

Edit: 1 year ban for a prescription drug...fat pills if you like.

[Craig_H]

Hindsight is a wonderful gift!

I know footballers arent the brightest, but is hindsight really a prerequisite to being aware that ****ing up something like this can ruin your career? Especially when it's happened to others before them.