KUALA LUMPUR: Former national Under-23 goalkeeper, Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed has been banned for 20 months from the game by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
This is because the 22-year-old player failed a dope test while representing the country at the AFC Under-23 Championship that was held in Changshu, China in January.
Syihan’s agent, Effendi Jagan Abdullah explained that the decision to ban him for 20 months was made by AFC’s ethics and disciplinary committee on June 4 after the hearing for the case which was held on May 30 and 31.
Effendi, who acted as Syihan’s spokesperson during the hearing, said that they are satisfied with the ban that has been handed down to him.
“Actually, Syihan could have been banned for up to four years for failing the dope test. However, after giving his explanation to AFC’s ethics and disciplinary committee, he has been banned for 20 months.
“At this time, Syihan feels that the punishment is reasonable and acceptable. We can make an appeal, but if we do so then there are risks involved.
“If AFC rejects the appeal made, they can add to the period of the ban. So we will not be making an appeal and we have discussed the matter with the FA of Malaysia (FAM).
On Feb 13, FAM secretary-general, Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin confirmed that they received a letter from AFC on Feb 6 informing that Syihan had tested positive for Metabolite Methandienone which is listed as a banned substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), from his A sample that was taken on Jan 10 during a random dope test.
Ahmad Syihan breached AFC’s article 6 of the anti-doping rules and was provisionally suspended for 60 days from football and all related activities, including official, domestic and friendly matches.
Meanwhile Effendi also explained that Syihan’s contract with current team Negri Sembilan has been cancelled with immediate effect after being banned by AFC.
“The punishment begins from the date Syihan was provisionally suspended in Feb, which means he has to serve another 16 months of the ban.
“His contract has been terminated with immediate effect without compensation from the team. So now he will have to train on his own to keep fit during the period he has been banned,” said Effendi.