May 13 – Ukraine striker Artem Biesiedin has been banned for one year by UEFA after failing a doping test.
The 24-year-old scored in the last game of Ukraine’s qualifying group in November – a 2-2 draw at Serbia.
Less than two weeks later he tested positive for a banned stimulant while playing for Dynamo Kyiv after a Europa League game against Malmo.
The stimulant, Fonturacetam, is described in scientific journals as being “developed in Russia to keep astronauts awake on long missions.”
Biesiedin was provisionally suspended by UEFA in December, and later banned in February. UEFA announced the case on Tuesday after his right to appeal the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport expired.
Because the ban is backdated to December 19, Biesiedin will be free to play at the postponed European Championship in June 2021.
Ukraine finished at the top of their qualifying group ahead of defending champions Portugal. The team was drawn in a Euro 2020 group with the Netherlands, Austria and a playoff round winner.
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