An over-the-counter spray sold in Italy has caused No. 1-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner to fail two drug tests in March. The spray, Trofodermin, contains the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol and is available without a prescription in Italy. The medication led to a trace amount of Clostebol showing up in Sinner's test results.
Trofodermin, meant for treating cuts and scrapes, comes with a warning in Italian that states the use of the drug without therapeutic needs constitutes doping and can result in positive anti-doping tests. The product is available for purchase at pharmacies in Italy for 14.50 euros ($16).
Italian lawyer Giovanni Fontana, who has worked on numerous doping cases, highlighted that Clostebol cases linked to Trofodermin have resulted in bans for athletes. Fontana emphasized the ease with which Clostebol can be transmitted, often unknowingly.
Sinner, who was cleared last month, attributed the presence of Clostebol in his system to a massage from his physiotherapist, who had used Trofodermin on a cut without wearing gloves. Sinner has since parted ways with his fitness trainer and physiotherapist.
Under Italian law, products containing banned substances come with a printed 'DOPING' warning on the packaging. However, Fontana noted that the warning is only on the box and not the product itself, posing a risk if the box is discarded.
While Sinner was not suspended for his positive tests, there is a possibility of appeals from anti-doping agencies. Fontana suggested that Sinner could pursue a civil case against his former trainer and physiotherapist for damages.
Clostebol is classified as a controlled substance in the United States and is listed on WADA's banned substances list. The International Tennis Integrity Agency investigation found a trace amount of Clostebol in Sinner's system, emphasizing the strict anti-doping regulations in professional sports.
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