Doping Comes to MLS

By: Daryl | October 16th, 2008

Wow, what a day. First match-fixing in England and now substance abuse in MLS. No, seriously.

Seems two New York Red Bulls players – keeper Jon Conway and defender Jeff Parke – have tested positive for androstatriendione (ATD) and boldenone metabolites. Both substances are on the MLS banned list, and both players have been fined 10% of their annual salary and banned for 10 games, effective immediately, and just in time for playoffs too.

According to an MLS release, posted by Steven Goff at Soccer Insider:

The players purchased and ingested an over-the-counter nutritional supplement containing ATD, a substance that metabolizes into boldenone. Both ATD and boldenone are banned substances under MLS’s SABH policy. The supplement was purchased from a vitamin store that is part of a national chain. “MLS has one of the strictest drug policies in professional sports and holds its athletes both responsible and accountable for what they put into their bodies,” [MLS chief commish Don] Garber said. “This is an important statement as to the high standards to which we hold our players.”

With that line about the players buying the substances at a vitamin store, the league is clearly keen to stress that this isn’t Barry Bonds territory and no one’s shooting up in the locker room.

But it’s still good to see the league taking swift action, and hopefully making sure that the reputation of Major League Soccer isn’t dragged down into the gutter Major League Baseball just as it’s getting started.

	Soccer Forums	Team/International Results

Category: MLS

Tags: Doping, Jeff Parke, Jon Conway, MLS, New York Red Bulls, steroids, substance abuse

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Comments  

• Laurie |  October 16th, 2008 at 3:20 pm

  
  
  

  Congratulations on choosing one of the most disgusting photos ever to apear on The Offside. And we all know that’s saying a lot.

  Seriously, though, they’re banned and fined for taking stuff they bought legally? That kind of sucks.

  Posted from United States

  

• Tommy Wong |  October 16th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

  
  
  

  As a Red Bulls fan and season ticket-holder, I can safely say that whatever Jon Conway is taking for his body, ain’t doing -shit- for his brains/ability.

  Posted from United States

  

• john |  October 16th, 2008 at 4:33 pm

  
  
  

  That picture has got to be fake, right? Otherwise, that man would be virtually immobile.

  Posted from United States

  

• skillz |  October 16th, 2008 at 5:05 pm

  
  
  

  it has to be fake, photoshop can work wonders these days. but if its not, why would you ever do that to yourself?

  Posted from United States

  

• Ian |  October 16th, 2008 at 6:07 pm

  
  
  

  He’s all … bubbly … anyway, I’m not sure I agree, Laurie. The league has the right to pass rules above and beyond the rules of the country – just because something’s legal to buy doesn’t mean its legal to use and compete in the league. I’m glad they’re taking a hard line – there are a lot of things in legal supplements that are no kind of good for you.

  Posted from United States

  

• Jerroid |  October 17th, 2008 at 9:06 am

  
  
  

  The picture you posted has made me sick…Theoffsides.com owes me a new keyboard now….As for doping in MLS, it is good to see the MLS take such a hard stance on this issue. Good on you MLS!

  Posted from United States

  

Comments are closed