Nasri handed ban over drip treatment in US, says lawyer

Samir Nasri has been banned from football following the investigation into the intravenous drip treatment he received at a Los Angeles clinic.

The player’s legal representative in the case told Press Association Sport that a six-month suspension has been imposed on Nasri by UEFA, European football’s governing body.

Former Arsenal and Manchester City playmaker Nasri received 500 millilitres of hydration in the form of sterile water containing micronutrient components on December 26, 2016, while on holiday.

At the time, he was on loan from City to Sevilla, and Nasri had reported feeling ill and vomiting before calling a doctor, his Maryland-based former girlfriend Dr Sarabjit Anand who provided an initial diagnosis.

Nasri received treatment from a private medical company, Drip Doctors, in his hotel room and later posed for a photograph with the organisation’s co-founder Jamila Sozahdah that drew publicity.

World Anti-Doping Agency rules state there is a 50 millilitre infusion limit per six-hour period for active athletes. A request by Sevilla for a retroactive therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for Nasri was refused in February 2017 by UEFA, whose decision was later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Spanish sport newspaper Marca reported Nasri has been banned for one year, stating UEFA will confirm that on Monday, however Nasri’s lawyer, who wished not to be named, disputed that figure.

He confirmed Nasri has received a ban, saying in an email: “Indeed. But he has received only six months suspension.”

Nasri is currently without a club, having left Antalyaspor in January after just six months with the Turkish team.

The 30-year-old former France international played for Arsenal from 2008 to 2011 before moving to City for £25million, going on to win two Premier League titles during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

During his loan spell at Sevilla last season he made 30 appearances and scored three goals.