Manchester United defenders Daley Blind and Phil Jones have been disciplined by UEFA for violation of the association’s doping regulations. There is no implication that either player has engaged in doping activity, at all, but the infractions stem from the players’ violation of the sanctioning body’s regulatory protocol.
Blind has been fined 5,000 Euro, while Jones was hit with a two match ban. Additionally, the club itself was fined 10,000 Euro.
Daley Blind was charged for violation and non-compliance to the UEFA rule which states that: “every player designated to undergo as doping control is personally responsible for reporting immediately to the doping control station as notified.”
Phil Jones was sanctioned: “for insulting and directing abusive language towards the Doping Control Officer, as well as for a lack of cooperation and respect towards the doping control procedure.”
According to a Press Association Sport report cited in ESPN FC: “Blind was reluctant to take a test as requested because he wanted to celebrate with his teammates, whose 2-0 victory over Ajax ensured their qualification for this season’s Champions League.”
Jones will now join Eric Bailly as defenders who will miss the Super Cup against Real Madrid on Aug 8, and United’s first match in Champions League group play. Thus, United Manager Jose Mourinho will have some selection issues in the back line to deal with in Skopje, Macedonia.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV.
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