Ashutosh Mehta handed 2-year ban by NADA for failing doping test

Former ATK Mohun Bagan defender Ashutosh Mehta has been handed a two-year ban from professional football after failing a doping test. The 31-year-old has been punished by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (NADA) for a morphine-related offense. 

The player appealed his sanction by naming the teammate that offered him the drug for his ‘body pains’. The other player has reportedly turned in a negative doping test report as of now. And it now remains to be seen whether the sentence will be reduced. 

Ashutosh Mehta handed two-year ban 

The sentence that was served to Ashutosh Mehta reads as follows: 

“The order containing the decision of the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel dated 14.09.2022 in respect of final hearing of the above case held on 07.09.2022 is enclosed.

Please note that according to Article 13.2.2 of Anti-Doping Rules of NADA 2021, the time to file an appeal to the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel shall be twenty-one (21) days from the date of receipt of this decision by the appealing party. The appeal may be filed at the above mentioned address.

Also please note that according of Article 10.7.1-(Substantial Assistance in Discovering or Establishing Anti-Doping Rule Violations). Any period of Ineligibility imposed may be partially suspended if you assist NADA in uncovering and/or establishing an ADRV by another Athlete or Athlete Support Personnel pursuant to Article 10.7.1 ADR. Further, the athlete is subjected to doping control test during the ineligibility period, therefore, athlete is required to update his residential address as and when changed.”