Two England footballers found using cocaine; FA launches investigations
What's the story
To the great dismay of the Premier League and Football Association authorities, two footballers playing in the England team and for major EPL sides were found using cocaine on separate occasions, as reported by The Sun. Their identities have not been made public. The FA has launched an investigation into the matter, as using recreational drugs is punishable by English football's laws. Here's more.
Incident
One player was thrown out of a nightclub
The first footballer did so at a nightclub, and apparently, other players were involved as well. "I was offered to do some drugs several times. The player was out of control and kept disappearing in and out of the toilets. Everyone seemed to be on cocaine", said the woman who found him snorting away. The player was later thrown out by the nightclub authorities.
Incident
One was sent home as manager believed he was drunk
In another incident, a footballer was seen going into the bathroom by one of his teammates, who saw him snorting a line of cocaine before he headed out. The drugged player was hardly in control of himself, but the manager thought he was too drunk, and thus called a cab and shipped him off home. However, his teammates were left in utter shock.
Rules
Rules state footballers using recreational drugs can be banned
FA's rules clearly state that footballers can be banned for upto two years if they are found using any Class A drug. Last season, six footballers had failed to pass tests for recreational drug use, as per FA's anti-doping website. Players can be tested anytime, and cocaine reportedly lasts for two days in the bloodstream and four days in urine.
Plea
FA urges people to report such incidents
FA has now launched a public appeal asking people who have any information regarding footballers who use recreational drugs to come forward and report to the authorities. "It remains a priority for The FA to find and sanction anyone found taking performance-enhancing or recreational drugs. We encourage anyone with information about any anti-doping violation in football to report it to The FA," they said.