Sports

Italy star Rossi tests positive for banned substance

Published

6 years ago

September 25, 2018

Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi is facing a doping ban after testing positive for the banned substance dorzolamide , media reports said Tuesday .
Rossi , who has played 30 times for the Azzurri in a career blighted by knee injuries , tested positive following an Italian league match between his team at the time , Genoa , and Benevento on May 12 .

Dorzolamide is commonly found in eye drops. Its use is permitted if the athlete obtains a therapeutic use exemption , although if not applied to the eyes, it could be used as a diuretic .

The 31 – year – old Rossi , formerly of Manchester United and Fiorentina but currently without a club , has denied using eye drops, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport daily .

Eyedrops containing “ dorzolamide and brinzolamide , when administered topically in the eye , are not prohibited , ” according to the World Anti -Doping Agency .

It added , “ The rationale behind this exception is these drugs do not have a diuretic effect when topically applied . ”

Rossi now faces a one -year ban by the Italian anti -doping agency ( Nado ) , according to reports . Gazzetta said Rossi ’ s case is scheduled to be heard on October 1 .

( AFP )