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Thandani Ntshumayelo slapped with four-year ban after testing positive for cocaine

Orlando Pirates player Thandani Ntshumayelo. Picture Credit: Gallo Images
Orlando Pirates player Thandani Ntshumayelo. Picture Credit: Gallo Images

Thandani Ntshumayelo has been banned from football for four years for testing positive for cocaine‚ and his contract has been terminated at Orlando Pirates‚ according to media reports.

The Bucs midfielder has reportedly failed to provide sufficient evidence in mitigation to permit a hearing panel to reduce his sentence.

A statement by the SA Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) read: “The athlete confessed evidence that he did take three lines of cocaine at a party and that he was influenced by friends to take cocaine and as a result committed a mistake.

“The athlete further confessed that he did take the substance three days prior to the date he was tested. The athlete further testified that he took the substance knowing that it was cocaine and that it was a banned substance.”

It emerged in late July that Ntshumayelo‚ who has played for Pirates since signing for them from SuperSport United in 2012‚ had tested positive for cocaine.

SAIDS CEO Khalid Galant told PowerFM that Ntshumayelo (26) can appeal the ban.

“The verdict was handed down and the player has the right to appeal within a period after he received the decision‚” Galant said.

“The decision was sent to the lawyer at the beginning of this week so the clock ticks on the time that they have. The appeal will be heard if there are valid grounds that an appeal board can be put together to hear the appeal against the four-year sentence.”

The player’s agent‚ Tim Sukazi‚ has conformed that the midfielder with three Bafana Bafana caps has been released from his contract by Pirates.

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