A recent report by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has revealed that at least nine professional footballers in the UK have tested positive for banned substances since 2022. The list includes players from the Premier League, but none of them have faced any suspensions so far.

 

According to the report, all the affected players were allowed to continue playing as the Football Association (FA) accepted that the substances were either used for medical reasons or taken through permitted methods.

 

These cases are separate from high-profile doping incidents involving players like Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk and former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, both of whom have faced official disciplinary action.

 

The report disclosed that the banned substances found in these players include Tamoxifen, Triamcinolone, and Amphetamine — drugs known to assist in weight loss, muscle gain, endurance, and overall physical performance, without necessarily enhancing raw strength.

 

A UKAD spokesperson clarified that a positive test does not always indicate wrongdoing. If a player requires a banned substance for genuine medical reasons, they may apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), which grants legal permission.

 

Mykhailo Mudryk tested positive for a banned substance in December 2024 before an international match, but denied knowingly taking any performance-enhancing drugs. The Ukrainian Football Association is still considering whether to impose a ban on him.

 

Meanwhile, Paul Pogba tested positive for DHEA — a testosterone-boosting substance — while playing for the Italian club, Juventus. Initially handed a four-year ban, his suspension was reduced to 18 months on appeal. Juventus terminated his contract in November 2024.

 

The UKAD report also highlighted a worrying rise in addiction and drug use within English football. More than 500 players are reportedly undergoing treatment for issues related to drugs, alcohol, or gambling.

 

Just last season alone, 80 professional players received treatment for substance-related issues, including cocaine, nitrous oxide, sleeping pills, and alcohol. The report also mentioned that some players are acquiring powerful sedatives like Zopiclone from the black market — a drug known for its high potential for addiction.

 

The revelations have sparked fresh concerns about the mental and physical health of players, as well as the effectiveness of existing safeguards within professional football in the UK.