Middlesbrough defender banned for drug use

Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier failed a drugs test after the UEFA Cup tie against Greek club Xanthi on Sept. 29, the Premier League club said on Monday.

FIFA have suspended the 32-year-old from all competitions pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation.

Middlesbrough said on their website they were not in a position to make any further comment at the moment but understood Xavier would make a press statement on Tuesday.

The former Portugal international joined Middlesbrough at the end of August on transfer deadline day after a spell in Serie A with AS Roma.

He has played previously for Bari, German club Hanover 96 and for Everton and Liverpool in England. He also had a loan spell with Galatasaray in Turkey.

Born in Mozambique, Xavier has played more than 20 times for Portugal and hoped that joining Middlesbrough would help him earn a recall in time for the 2006 World Cup finals.

He has played six games for Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren since arriving at the Riverside but was left out of the side that drew with Portsmouth on Saturday.

At Euro 2000, the defender was at the centre of high controversy when team mates attacked a linesman and the referee for awarding a 117th minute penalty in the semi-final with France after Xavier was judged to have handled the ball.
France converted the penalty to snatch a 3-2 victory and their place in the final.