Bayer Leverkusen investigated for alleged doping violation
Bundesliga club failed to report player's absence for anti-doping controls
Bayer Leverkusen are under investigation for an alleged violation of their obligation to report the absence of a player for anti-doping controls. The Bundesliga club has admitted that striker Thomas Brdaric missed the last three weeks of the season not through injury but to avoid being banned for doping. The case has been referred to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, which will hold a hearing on Friday.
No comment from Leverkusen
Leverkusen have declined to comment on the allegations, but the German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed that it is investigating the matter. The DFB has the power to impose sanctions on clubs and players who violate anti-doping regulations.
Concern over doping in German football
The case has raised concerns about the extent of doping in German football. In recent years, several high-profile players have been banned for using performance-enhancing drugs. In 2015, Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels was banned for six months after testing positive for a banned substance.
Call for stricter penalties
The DFB has called for stricter penalties for doping offenders. In a statement, the DFB said that "doping is a serious offense that undermines the integrity of sport." The DFB also said that it will continue to work with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to combat doping in football.
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