http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/oct15h.html

Blasi fails drug test Wednesday 15 October, 2003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parma midfielder Manuele Blasi could face a lengthy ban after he failed
a random drug test.

The former Italian Under-21 international has tested positive for the
anabolic steroid norandrosterone.

Blasi was selected to have the test after the September 14 League game
against Perugia.

"It seems quite strange," said Parma director general Patrick Nebiolo.
"We will now talk to the player and see what action to take.

"We often carry out our own tests on players by examining urine, blood
and hair samples. Blasi has never tested positive in any of those.

"The player doesn’t take any kind of medication and is under constant
control from us over what he takes.

"We will definitely ask for a second test to be carried out. We have
to first and foremost protect our own interests."

The youngster’s failure has been reported to the Italian Olympic
Committee who will deal with the case once a second sample has been
examined.

The news comes as a big blow to the Tardini outfit who only signed
the former Perugia player on loan this summer from Juventus.

This is the first positive test in Italian football since a spate
of cases two years ago when numerous players tested positive for
nandrolone.

Most of those involved received four to six month bans, but Blasi
could be handed a two-year suspension.


Meanwhile, Coach Cesare Prandelli also leapt to Blasi's defence.

"How do you think he's feeling?" the tactician told journalists.

"The poor lad is in there right now crying his eyes out. We all know
he'd never take an illegal substance as he dislikes any type of
medication."

Prandelli hopes that the counter-analysis can clear Blasi's name.

"The final word has not yet been said," he added. "It could all
turn out to be a storm in a tea cup."

Initial reports suggest Blasi fears he may have exceeded the level
of the steroid after taking antibiotics for a bout of flu.



http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/blasinews.jpg