Francesco Flachi - to Empoli

[Pennywise]

Sampdoria ace Francesco Flachi is facing a lengthy ban after he tested positive for traces of cocaine.

The striker failed the routine dope test after the Week 21 clash between Sampdoria and Inter on January 28, a game which saw the Nerazzurri come away with a 2-0 win.

Flachi played 69 minutes of that Marassi clash before being replaced by Emiliano Bonazzoli in the second half.

The Italian Olympic Committee’s anti-doping lab will now test Flachi’s B sample in order to understand whether his A sample result was accurate or not.

Flachi, who will now probably be suspended as a precautionary measure, could face up to a year out of the game if he is found guilty of a doping offence.

This latest incident is already the second high-profile setback that the former Fiorentina man has encountered this term.

The Italian was handed a two-month suspension in September, along with Atalanta stopper Moris Carrozzieri, after a betting probe.

channel4.com - Football Italia



>> This is very sad news. Espesailly for 'us' fans of Sampdoria. He is a great striker, but it looks like Italian football is cursed with scandals.

[D-Kin]

Wow, his second ban of the season.

[Forza_Roma]

Ha! Don't understand why a professional would risk their career but being so stupid. You know that you will be randomly tested....stay away from the dope! UYou hurt yourself and your club! Ridiculous!

[MUMUFMUFCOK!]

How is cocaine going to help him play football? Does the opposite.

Illegal recreational drugs should be a matter for police if anyone, not the football authorities.

If he wants to be a stupid mug then that's perogative, it's his career he's going to piss up the wall.

[Forza_Roma]

Originally Posted by MUMUFMUFCOK!

How is cocaine going to help him play football? Does the opposite.

Illegal recreational drugs should be a matter for police if anyone, not the football authorities.

If he wants to be a stupid mug then that's perogative, it's his career he's going to piss up the wall.

The football authorities should take action because it violates the drug policy. Stupid move on his part...now his team has to suffer as well.

[D-Kin]

Although it's true that cocaine isn't a performance enhancing drug the FIGC wouldn't have any credibility if they let a drug addict play without some sort of punishment.

A 3 month ban is sufficient in my opinion.

[Forza_Roma]

Ya, the remainder of the season should be adequate. If he repeats the offence...6 months, then a year...not sure of the FIGC official rules are.

[azzurri]

Bettting, and now cocaine. I guess Flachi is that type of person.

[Forza_Roma]

He didn't mention being sorry for his team???? Rude!

Flachi: I’ll clarify all… Wednesday 21 February, 2007

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Sampdoria captain Francesco Flachi is remaining upbeat despite testing positive for cocaine. “I’ll explain everything,” he insisted.

The striker failed a routine dope test after the January 28 loss to Inter and is looking at a lengthy suspension if his B sample also shows traces of the banned substance.

“I am serene and I will clarify everything when the time will be right,” said Flachi on Wednesday before leaving the club’s training centre. “I am only very sorry for my family.”

Sampdoria have now asked the player to not speak with the media until the result of the second test is known.

Flachi turned up as usual for training this morning but was allowed home as soon as the Italian Olympic Committee confirmed the news.

"The Rome laboratory has identified the presence of benzoylecgonine [a metabolite of cocaine] in the first specimen submitted for analysis by Francesco Flachi," a CONI statement stated.

If the presence of benzoylecgonine were to be confirmed, the player would face another ban from the game in the same season.

Flachi, famed for his overhead kicks, was suspended for two months in September after a probe found that he had helped gather betting information.

Numerous other players in the past have also tested positive for cocaine such as Diego Armando Maradona, Claudio Caniggia and Adrian Mutu.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Originally Posted by azzurri

Bettting, and now cocaine. I guess Flachi is that type of person.

Flachi never bet on games, he was just 'associated' with people that did (it's a stupid rule if you ask me).

[cerebral_assassin]

Never understood y ppl took dope.....

[azzurri]

Cocaine is a rich man's drug, hence y so many athletes probably do it. With busy schedules and constant criticism, I guess they see it as an escape.

[Jager]

I see though where Mumufuk is going with this. Should the FIGC be testing for drug substances that do nothing for the performance on the field?

I don't condone the use of illicit drugs in any way, but one has to think that this is more of a personal issue. I don't think they should be personally involved. If anything they should contact him privately, get him help.

Banning and making it a spectacle, helps no one. The league gets negative press and the player is not helped.

[D-Kin]

Just be glad they're doing something, Maradona was taking cocaine throughout the entire time he was with Napoli but the media and the FIGC never made it public because of what he meant to Napoli and Calcio. Of course in the end everyone turned on him and cocaine ended up being the main reason when he left.

The point is that players on drugs (no matter what they are) doesn't give our game a very good image.

[Jager]

I'm not saying that the league should do nothing about it, on the contrary.

They should get him the help that he needs. Then if he is receptive, keep him playing, but if he is not receptive to the idea, then ban him.

Making a public spectacle out of it is not going to do no one good.