Smolarek fails UEFA dope test

06 May 2002

Feyenoord's Ebi Smolarek has been named as the Dutch player who failed the dope test as announced yesterday in the press. UEFA have confirmed that the player failed a test after the UEFA Cup clash with PSV on March 21st. A tiny amount of Cannabinol was found in his blood but the Polish winger has denied smoking or using cannabis and Feyenoord manager Jan D. Swart is convinced of the player's innocence. Cannabinol is a substance that can also be found in some health store chocolate bars and Feyenoord are planning to back their player in his appeal against whatever punishment UEFA decides to hand out. Cannabis is no longer to be found on the Dutch FA's list of banned substances but is still included in UEFA's list.