Halifax Wanderers’ Ludwig Amla Receives Two-Year Ban: Anti-Doping Violation

• damiadeniyi
• August 3, 2023
• Sports
• 0 Comments

Halifax Wanderers’ forward, Ludwig Amla, has been handed a two-year suspension following an anti-doping violation involving his use of an asthma inhaler. This incident has not only cast doubts on Amla’s future with the club but also has far-reaching implications for his career.

Aged 22, Ludwig Amla, a promising striker, tested positive for the prohibited substance terbutaline in a urine sample taken on September 10, 2022. This substance is an active component of the asthma medication Bricanyl, which Amla had been relying on to manage his asthma.

In a revealing official report from the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada, it came to light that Amla had not disclosed his use of Bricanyl during a medical examination conducted by the club. Although he argued that the team physician was fully aware of his medication, this claim was contradicted by the physician, and the court ultimately supported the physician’s stance.

The enforcement of the two-year suspension dates back to July 4, 2023 – the original decision day. Importantly, the suspension encompasses the timeframe between the initial charge notice and the final verdict. Consequently, Amla’s ban stretches until February 7, 2025. Through an appeal process, the initial prospect of a four-year ban was reduced to two years. In this context, Arbitrator Richard Pound acknowledged Amla’s negligence without attributing malicious intent to his use of the banned substance.

The reverberations of Amla’s suspension resonate deeply within his career and the Halifax Wanderers. Despite Amla’s participation in eight matches for the club during the previous season, he struggled to find the back of the net. His recruitment in August was a result of a successful trial period, igniting enthusiasm among fans who saw his potential. Regrettably, the suspension means he will be sidelined for the entirety of the 2023 CPL season and will miss out on any prospect of engaging in the 2024 season due to the ban.