Nine professional players — including at least two from the Premier League — have tested positive for banned substances since 2022 but continued to play without suspension. This is according to figures from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD).
A report by The Sun revealed that four of those positive tests were recorded in 2023 alone. Despite the detection of performance-enhancing drugs such as Tamoxifen, Triamcinolone, and Amphetamine, none of the players involved have been publicly named or sanctioned, raising questions about the transparency and integrity of the sport’s anti-doping protocols.
Triamcinolone is known to help reduce weight without sacrificing power, Tamoxifen aids muscle growth, while Amphetamine is recognised for its ability to boost endurance. All are prohibited under standard anti-doping regulations.
The Football Association (FA), responding to the revelations, insisted that all procedures were followed correctly. “We are fully compliant with the National Anti-Doping Policy,” said a spokesperson. “The FA contributes to one of the world’s leading anti-doping programmes, guided by UKAD through targeted and intelligence-led drug testing.”
The FA further explained that the players in question were allowed to keep playing because the substances were either used for approved medical treatments or were administered through “a permitted route.”
Two of the nine cases remain under investigation, fuelling calls for greater accountability and openness in how doping cases are handled, especially in elite football.
