Tottenham Hotspur forward Chioma Ubogagu will be unavailable for selection until after the start of next season with the player having been hit with a nine-month suspension following an anti-doping violation.
The 29-year-old’s case was put in front of The Football Association and an independent tribunal on Friday 22 April. Following a review, the player was charged and served with a nine-month suspension, something which Ubogagu has accepted.
The situation is said to have occurred following the issuing of prescribed medication to the player to treat acne. Ubogagu was unaware of the fact that the medication was prohibited after joining Spurs, a claim which The Football Association have accepted.
Tottenham Hotspur provided an official update on Ubogagu’s availability via their official club website this morning which read:
We can confirm that Spurs Women forward Chioma Ubogagu has been charged with an anti-doping violation and has accepted a nine-month suspension.
The FA and an independent tribunal reached the decision on Friday 22 April.
Chioma was prescribed two forms of medication in the United States from a personal doctor to treat acne before signing for the Club.
The 29-year-old continued to take the medication to treat her skin condition after she arrived without the knowledge that the medication was prohibited.
In November 2021, Chioma requested a repeat prescription from the Club doctor who alerted the relevant bodies; the FA and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) about the use of a banned substance.
The FA accepts that Chioma did not take the medication, spironolactone, with a view to intentionally securing an illegal advantage.
Both the Club and Chioma fully cooperated with the FA and UKAD during the disciplinary process and Chioma has been unavailable for selection since the provisional suspension was imposed in January.
Chioma takes full responsibility for the charge and deeply regrets her actions admitting a lack of knowledge and awareness on her part.
Ubogagu joined Spurs last summer following a spell in Spain with Real Madrid. The player made 10 appearances for Spurs in this season’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League but has not featured for the North Londoners since mid-January. The club have confirmed that Ubogagu’s suspension will run until October when she will be available for selection once again.
The player has thanked the club for their support and is planning to use her story to educate other professional athletes.
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