A player from Norwegian side Valerenga, who compete in the Women’s Champions League, has been cleared in an unusual anti-doping investigation.
Valerenga player cleared in doping investigation
The player, who has not been named in public, accidentally ingested a banned substance contained in a rubber crumb from an artificial pitch.
It happened during a match between Valerenga and LSK Kvinner at the LSK-Hallen indoor arena in Lillestrom.
Tests after the match discovered that eight competing players tested positive for 1,3-dimethylbutylamine (DMBA). However, one exceeded the World Anti-Doping Agency’s threshold.
The player was put under investigation; however, she was cleared after it was discovered that the rubber crumb on the pitch contained the banned stimulant.
The Valerenga star continued to play during the investigation and was allowed to maintain her anonymity.
However, speaking to the Athletic via the club, she said: “I am so lucky that I have a great group of very supportive people around me. My club handled the situation professionally and helped me a lot. My family was unbelievable and stood by my side through the whole process.”
She added that she hopes players are “better protected in the future” and that current rules can lead to an “innocent athlete being suspended for years”.
Response from Norway Anti-Doping
A statement from Norway Anti-Doping, (ADNO), shared on Valerenga’s website, read: “The case is not about a lack of judgment on the part of the athlete or that she took any kind of risk.
“She was exposed to the drug in an ordinary league match played in a standard football hall under normal conditions.
“Neither she nor the seven other athletes who had the substance detected in their bodies had any reason to know about the connection between the track surface and the banned substance. Nor did she have any reason to take action to avoid exposure to the substance.”
Valerenga director Harriet Rudd said they were “relieved by the outcome” and that it was confirmation that the players were “blameless all the way”.
She added: “This is a case that raises important questions about how sport protects athletes when environmental factors beyond their control can lead to positive tests. We hope the experience gained here can help strengthen future processes and guidelines.”
The World Anti-Doping Agency, meanwhile, told The Athletic that the DMBA substance is currently “limited to certain artificial turf fields in Norway”.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) will officially ban the sale of rubber crumb and any polymeric infill from October 2031.
Valerenga in the Women’s Champions League
The Norwegian side are underdogs in the Women’s Champions League but have put in strong performances against good sides.
Valerenga lost 1-0 to Manchester United, with Ella Toone describing the win for the Red Devils as “special”.
They also suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Champions League veterans VfL Wolfsburg and drew 2-2 with St.Polten.
Their best performance came in a shock 1-0 victory over Roma, which has left them 13th in the standings.
In Norway’s Toppserien, Valerenga finished the season as runner-up to SK Brann.
