Sunderland confirm drugs ban

Sunderland have confirmed that a two-year drugs ban has been handed out to their former player Lewis Gibbons.

Last Updated: 19/02/13 at 09:21 Post Comment

The 17-year-old failed an in-competition drugs test after Sunderland's Under-18s match against Aston Villa on September 22 last year.

He tested positive for recreational drugs cocaine and cannabis and he was handed a mandatory two-year ban for breaching the Football Association's anti-doping regulations in December.

His scholarship at Sunderland was terminated immediately, but he appealed the decision - but that was recently withdrawn and the FA punishment has now been finalised.

Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne said in a statement: "Empowering and educating our young people to make the right choices and decisions both on and off the field is fundamental to our academy philosophy and ethos.

"We expect the highest standards of all players who have the honour of being part of Sunderland AFC, which is why this came as such as shock to us.

"It was enormously disappointing for everyone at the club who works so hard to support our young players and give them every opportunity to make it as professional footballers.

"We are strong advocates of the rigorous testing programme that our sport adheres to and we will continue to educate and advise all of our young players as to the enormous dangers of drug use."

Sunderland academy manager Ged McNamee added: "Lewis not only let our club down, he let himself down and his team-mates down massively. We took the strongest possible action in terminating his contract as every footballer knows the severe consequences of this type of offence.

"We have, however, worked to ensure that support and assistance was available to the player and his family through what has undoubtedly been a difficult and challenging time for them."

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

A

t the start of the season, after the RVP transfer, I confidently claimed that Arsenal would finish above United. I now regret it immensely.

Fuzzy_Dunlop
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

D

aniel Storey generally did very well, going against the City won it last year so they're bound to win it this time grain. As for John Nicholson, I wouldn't trust him to predict correctly what day of the week it will be tomorrow.

Griff
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

J

ose will have (and will always have) the total support of every Chelsea fan. Cant wait for that swagger to walk through the doors at Stamford Bridge and announce I'm back . It may not last for ever but hey it'll be exciting and worth the pain

cmh1966
The Pros And Cons Of Mourinho's Return...

Footer 365

2015 Champions League final to be played at Olympic Stadium in Berlin

UEFA has revealed that Berlin will stage the Champions League final for the first time in 2015.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says attitude is key in recruitment drive

Brendan Rodgers says attitude will be as important as aptitude as he bids to strengthen his Liverpool squad this summer.

Lennon available for final

Neil Lennon has been given a one-game suspended touchline ban and will be free to sit in the dugout for Sunday's Scottish Cup final.

Mail Box

An Ode To Rafa And Loads More Mails...

We have one Chelsea fan who recognises the job done by Rafa Benitez while there's maths from Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester. And Shawcross to Arsenal? Nah...

Mails: Jol Out And Other Demands...

You might notice that we haven't included a single mail about teams in pubs, because most of them were terrible. Instead we have a disgruntled Fulham fan and Scouse maths...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved