November 28 – Norwegian club, Valerenga, is calling on global anti-doping authorities to update research and understanding of artificial pitches after a bizarre case where a banned stimulant leaked out of the surface and triggered a failed drug test for one of their women’s players.
The seven-month mystery ended last Wednesday when the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decided not to challenge Anti-Doping Norway’s ruling that the player bore no fault.
The saga began after Valerenga’s match at LSK Kvinner on April 22, when routine testing showed traces of the prohibited stimulant DMBA in samples from four players on each team. One Valerenga player’s sample crossed WADA’s 50 ng/ml reporting threshold, setting off the supposed doping violation. After investigations, it was confirmed that the teams hadn’t shared supplements, food, or drinks, and no one could explain it. The player, who remains anonymous, told the Guardian the moment she was informed of the possible violation “was a terrible shock.”
After months of confusion, investigators finally got to the bottom of the matter by testing from inside the LSK-Hallen facility, which showed that the rubber crumb infill, made from shredded tyres, had degraded and released DMBA. Players picked it up on their skin and clothing during the match.
DMBA is banned in Norway and across the EU. It isn’t considered a health threat, yet.
Norway has about 1,800 artificial pitches, and the EU will outlaw rubber crumb from 2031.
The bigger issue is unavoidable, though, as football relies on artificial pitches, especially in cold climates, and they’re not going away anytime soon. They’re a necessary evil, offering accessibility and year-round play while carrying risks that the sport still hasn’t fully addressed.
Valerenga argues that strict liability rules need to change to reflect that reality. CEO Harriet Rudd says this case shows how outdated the current system is. The cleared player feels the same.
“If the source hadn’t been found, my career could have been over,” she said. “Innocent athletes need stronger protection.”
Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]