Cosmin Matei was initially suspended for six months after an anti-doping test carried out in February 2024 indicated the presence of a banned substance in his body. However, at the end of last year, the Appeal Commission annulled his sanction, and the midfielder could continue playing for Sepsi.
However, the decision was not accepted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne and demanded a suspension of at least two years. In the end, TAS decided that the footballer should be suspended for nine months. As one month of the sentence has already been served, Matei will stay away from football for a while, approximately until the spring of next year.
During the suspension, Sepsi’s captain is not allowed to attend training, enter the locker room or contact the players and team officials in the sports base. The club from Sfântu Gheorghe announced that it respects the TAS decision and that it will support Cosmin Matei until his return to the field, scheduled for next spring.
“Our club has taken note of the decision handed down by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne in the case of our team captain, Cosmin Matei, by which he was sanctioned with a nine-month suspension, one month of which has already been served. This decision comes after Cosmin was initially suspended for six months by the National Anti-Doping Agency, and later the Appeals Commission removed the sanction, allowing him to continue his competitive activity. However, the decision of the Appeals Committee was challenged by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the CAS accepted the appeal and issued the final decision.
We deeply regret this situation and the impact it has on both Cosmin Matei and our team. Cosmin is a key player and captain of our line-up and his absence from the field is a significant loss. The Sepsi OSK Club respects the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the principles governing sports activity, reaffirming its commitment to complying with the regulations and promoting a clean sport. At the same time, we send Cosmin Matei our full support during this difficult period and we are convinced that he will return to stronger ground after the end of this sanction!”the Sepsi officials sent, through a press release.
What actually happened?
It all started on February 4, 2024, after the Sepsi – Universitatea Craiova 1-3 match in the Superliga. At the end of the match, Cosmin Matei was chosen for an anti-doping control and provided a urine sample.
The test result came about six weeks later and was positive. 5-methylhexan-2-amine, a banned substance used as a stimulant because it can increase energy levels, reaction speed and physical endurance, was found in the footballer’s body.
The most recent case of doping in the Superliga took place at U Cluj
In November 2024, the Portuguese Hildeberto Pereira tested positive in an anti-doping control after furosemide, a banned substance, was found in his body. Shortly after learning the result, the footballer requested the termination of the contract with Cluj University, and the club agreed.
Hildeberto acknowledged the positive result of the test, carried out in September 2024, but claimed that he did not take the substance to gain a sporting advantage and announced that he would contest the case in court. Currently, the Portuguese plays in Brazil, for Operario, a team in the second division.
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