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Nasri handed ban over drip treatment in US, says lawyer

Suspension relates to treatment he received in Los Angeles in December 2016.

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Samir Nasri has been banned from football following the investigation into the intravenous drip treatment he received at a Los Angeles clinic.

The player’s legal representative in the case told Press Association Sport that a six-month suspension has been imposed on Nasri by UEFA, European football’s governing body.

Former Arsenal and Manchester City playmaker Nasri received 500 millilitres of hydration in the form of sterile water containing micronutrient components on December 26, 2016, while on holiday.

Los Angeles
Samir Nasri was taking a break in Los Angeles when he fell ill (Ian West/PA)

Nasri received treatment from a private medical company, Drip Doctors, in his hotel room and later posed for a photograph with the organisation’s co-founder Jamila Sozahdah that drew publicity.

World Anti-Doping Agency rules state there is a 50 millilitre infusion limit per six-hour period for active athletes. A request by Sevilla for a retroactive therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for Nasri was refused in February 2017 by UEFA, whose decision was later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Samir Nasri
Nasri played for Sevilla last season, and was sent off at Leicester in the Champions League (Nigel French/EMPICS)

He confirmed Nasri has received a ban, saying in an email: “Indeed. But he has received only six months suspension.”

Nasri is currently without a club, having left Antalyaspor in January after just six months with the Turkish team.

Samir Nasri
Nasri first made his mark in English football with Arsenal (Mike Egerton/EMPICS)

During his loan spell at Sevilla last season he made 30 appearances and scored three goals.

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