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Italy: Messina defender Zanchi fails doping test [Wed Sep 21st, 2005]
Milan (Reuters) - Messina defender Marco Zanchi could face a lengthy suspension after failing a doping test taken after a Serie A game last month.
The Italian Olympic Committee, which is responsible for anti-doping tests in Serie A, said on Wednesday that Zanchi had tested positive for methylprednisolone.
In Italy, the steroid-related substance can only be used after permission has been granted by the football authorities.
According to Italian anti-doping regulations, Zanchi could face a six-month ban from the game.
He was tested after the game against Lazio on August 28. In Italy two players from every team are tested after each match.
The Italian news agency ANSA quoted a Messina source as saying Zanchi had taken an anti-inflammatory product to help with an injury to his right thigh and the club had informed anti-doping officials before the test.
Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid often used to relieve inflammation.
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