Two rowers, football goalkeeper temporarily suspended after failing a doping test

Another two football players could have failed doping test after a Jubilee Cup quarter-final

Two rowers and a football goalkeeper are under investigation after failing doping tests, Dr Sandro Camilleri, Director of Integrity at the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport (AIMS), confirmed to Times of Malta.

Birżebbuġa rower Kevin Camilleri and Marsamxett rower Leon Vella both tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance during the Victory Day Regatta held last September and have been temporarily suspended, pending further investigation.

Meanwhile, Żebbuġ Rangers goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi also failed a doping test following the BOV Challenge League match against Swieqi United, which was played in November.

A performance-enhancing substance was found in his system, and he has likewise been temporarily suspended pending further investigation.

A total of six doping tests were carried out during the Victory Day Regatta, while a number of additional tests were conducted during recent Jubilee Cup and national championship matches.

Dr Camilleri said that AIMS, through its National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO), has increased the number of tests across all sports practised in Malta, with initial results indicating that several athletes have used performance-enhancing substances during competition.

“I can confirm that in recent weeks, two rowers and a football player have tested positive following anti-doping tests,” Dr Camilleri told Times of Malta.

“Since I took office at AIMS, together with our new Chief Executive Officer Kevin Azzopardi, the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport, through its anti-doping wing NADO, has intensified its work and increased the number of tests carried out on athletes across various disciplines.

“Given the volume of work and tests conducted, I would not be surprised if more athletes are found to have tested positive.”

Positive cases

Dr Camilleri also said that further positive tests could be confirmed in the coming days and weeks.

Indeed, Times of Malta has been informed that there is a possibility that two additional football players may also have failed doping tests at the end of the Jubilee Cup quarter-final matches.

“Doping is one of the areas on which we are placing significant focus,” Dr Camilleri said.

“Next year, we plan to further increase our efforts in this area, and the early results of our work are already yielding dividends through the detection of these positive cases.

“Our work will cover all sporting disciplines practised in Malta and we will be adopting different modus operandi from the past, as we are determined to ensure that Maltese sport remains clean.” .

Dr Sandro Camilleri has served for more than 30 years in the Malta Police Force in senior positions, and his experience and knowledge are already producing results.

Dr Camilleri confirmed that AIMS is also focusing on cases where banned athletes are found participating in other disciplines, either as players or officials.

“Our message is clear: we want Maltese sport to be free from any form of abuse, and we will do everything in our power to protect the integrity of sport,” he concluded.