By David Gold
January 30 – Ukrainian international goalkeeper Oleksandr Rybka (pictured) has been banned by UEFA for two years after testing positive for a banned substance last year.
According to RIA Novosti, the FC Shakhtar Donetsk goalie tested positive for a prohibited diuretic following a league game with FC Karpaty Lviv in November, and the agency claim that UEFA has asked FIFA to make the ban a global one.
“According to the official documents, the goalkeeper of our team [Rybka] has been disqualified for two years,” read a statement on Shakhtar’s website.
However, the club feel that the penalty is disproportionate to the crime and make it clear that they are willing to contest the ruling.
“From FC Shakhtar’s point of view, this is an extremely severe verdict which is not quite proportional to the footballer’s offence,” the statement continued.
“In this regard, Shakhtar will lodge an appeal with the relevant bodies of UEFA.”
Rybka has made one international appearance to date and the ban will be a blow to Ukraine as the 24-year-old won’t be able to compete in this summer’s European Championships which the nation will co-host with Poland.
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