Former Malta national team player and current Victoria Hotspurs FC central defender Ferdinando Apap has been suspended for three months after testing positive for cocaine, according to Newsbook Malta.
The anti doping test was conducted by Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport. Sources close to the Malta Football Association and the authority communicated the findings to the Victoria Hotspurs management and coaching staff.
According to Newsbook, the team was informed on Friday evening that Apap was ineligible to play. The findings were also communicated to FIFA and UEFA.
Sources cited by Newsbook stated that the test was carried out following the Meridianabet FA Trophy fixture against Ħamrun Spartans on 3 January. Victoria Hotspurs lost the match 5-0. The sample reportedly returned a positive result for cocaine.
Victoria Hotspurs currently compete in the Amateur 1 Malta FA League and are contesting promotion to the Challenge League.
Apap initially rebutted the claim but later provided evidence in support of his defence that the substance had been consumed socially and out of competition. He maintained that the drug was not taken to enhance performance in the fixture concerned. Sources indicated that without this evidence, the suspension could have extended to two years.
AiMS, through its results management process, accepted the explanation and imposed a three month suspension. The suspension may be reduced to one month if Apap attends and completes the Substance Abuse Treatment Programme offered by Aġenzija Sedqa.
Apap was not included in the Victoria Hotspurs squad for their Amateur 1 League match against Attard FC on Sunday. The Gozitan club, the first from Gozo to compete in the Malta FA Leagues, secured a 1-0 victory in that fixture.
Earlier this season, Żebbuġ Rangers goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi also tested positive for cocaine following an anti doping test conducted by AiMS. He has since served his suspension and returned to action.
