Saudi Arabia national team forward Fahd Al-Mawlid has been removed from the 26-player World Cup roster amid a doping issue.
Though the player tested positive for steroids a couple of months ago, head coach Herve Renard made the decision as a “precaution” after the evolution of an appeal to the International Anti-Doping Committee.
“After reviewing the evolution of the appeal of the International Anti-Doping Committee (WADA) in the case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in relation to the player Fahd Al-Mawlid and after sharing views with the legal department of the Saudi Football Association and the lawyer,” the team revealed.
“Consequently, and as a precautionary measure, the coach of the Saudi national team, Hervé Renard, decided to exclude the player Fahd Al-Mawlid from the list to participate in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”
Al-Mawlid, who currently plays for Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia, was also given an 18-month suspension for the doping issue. He has appealed the decision.
“Al-Mawlid’s suspension from participating in all sports competitions, internal and external, starting from the period of March 28 this year,” it was announced.
This stands as the second time the player serves a doping sentence, after facing a similar fate in 2019.
Nawaf Al-Abed will replace the player on the World Cup roster. Saudi Arabia prepares to face Mexico, Poland and Argentina in the competition’s Group C.
Credit: 90min.com
