FOOTBALL STARS AVOID DRUGS BAN

Transparency plea as aces allowed to use banned treatments 80 times

- SIMON MURPHY

A DOPING expert has called for more transparency after it emerged top footballers have been allowed to use banned drugs and treatments multiple times.

We can reveal that sport watchdog UK Anti-Doping granted 80 special exemptions in the last five seasons.

Fourteen went to nine Premier League stars, including four times this season. Another 26 were granted to 16 Championship players since the 2018/19 season.

Some 24 exemptions went to 17 League One players, and 16 to 14 League Two footballers.

The Therapeutic Use Exemptions – known as TUEs – allow athletes to treat health issues using medication or techniques that are normally prohibited. UK Anti-Doping has not identified the players, clubs or medication.