Star Nasri facing anti-doping probe

SAMIR Nasri will have to explain the intravenous drip treatment he is said to have received at a Los Angeles clinic amid concerns he may have violated anti-doping rules.

The Spanish Agency for Health Protection in Sport (AEPSAD), which handles doping issues in sport, said it was launching an investigation.

The French playmaker is currently on loan from Manchester City to Spanish side Sevilla.

STEPS

AEPSAD stated on its official Twitter feed: "AEPSAD has initiated the appropriate steps to clarify what treatment was received by the player Samir Nasri."

According to the Drip Doctors clinic, Nasri received its 'Immunity IV Drip'. The clinic states that the treatment involves one litre of hydration, and is designed to "combat superbugs and common viruses".

However World Anti-Doping Agency rules state that there is a 50ml limit for active athletes.

Nasri is due to return to Spain this week after spending part of the LaLiga winter break in the United States.

Drip Doctors refused to comment when contacted yesterday.

Manchester City referred enquires on the situation regarding their player to Sevilla.

A spokesman for the Spanish club said Sevilla had no information beyond what had been reported in the media.

News of Nasri's treatment emerged on Tuesday evening.

Drip Doctors posted a photograph of Nasri alongside the organisation's co-founder Jamila Sozahdah on the Twitter feed @DripDoctors, which read: "We provided @SamNasri19 a concierge Immunity IV Drip to keep him hydrated & in top health during his busy soccer season with @SevillaFC"

Nasri's official account then quoted the @DripDoctors Twitter posts, which were followed by a series of bizarre and sexually explicit messages.

The string of posts was later deleted, and Nasri stated: "My account got hacked sorry about what happen earlier."

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Spanish authorities had been alerted to the claim about the clinic visit by a Twitter post from Richard Ings, the former head of anti-doping at the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), who also worked as chair and chief executive of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency.