SWISS AMATEUR FOOTBALLER SUSPENDED
An amateur footballer has been suspended for four years by the Swiss Sports Tribunal (SST) for possession, use, and attempted use of the prohibited substance ibutamoren (MK-677).
During a postal inspection, a package addressed to the footballer and containing 60 capsules of the prohibited substance ibutamoren (MK-677) was seized by the Federal Office of Customs and Border Security (FOCB) and forwarded to Swiss Sport Integrity (SSI).
As stipulated by the Federal Act on the Promotion of Sport (FAPS), SSI ordered the destruction of the product at the player’s expense through administrative proceedings.
The footballer was subsequently informed, as part of disciplinary proceedings, that possession and use of the prohibited substance constituted a potential violation of the Swiss Olympic Anti-Doping Statute. SSI then referred the case to the SST for judgment.
In its ruling, the SST concluded that any adult actively participating in organised sport must be able to familiarise themselves, at least in a basic way, with the anti-doping rules applicable to them. During the proceedings, the footballer confirmed that he intended to use ibutamoren (MK-677) to develop his muscle mass, meaning that the substance’s doping effect was paramount for him.
The SST found that anyone who, under these circumstances, orders and uses such a substance, at least accepts the fact that it may be a prohibited substance according to the Prohibited List.
Consequently, the SST imposed a four-year suspension on the footballer for possession, use, and attempted use of a doping substance. The suspension is effective from 6 March 2026, and applies to all sports and all positions within sports, worldwide.
SSI warns all athletes against using products presented as easy shortcuts or miracle cures for a perfect body. Even if these products are advertised as harmless and can be conveniently purchased from online shops or via social media, they often contain prohibited and high-risk substances. To protect against any violation of anti-doping rules and, in particular, to safeguard one’s own health, SSI strongly advises against their use.
We act for clients in ant-doping cases in Switzerland before the SST, and other tribunals, including the Court of Arbitration for Sport and in appeals to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, and further information is available from either Dr Lucien Valloni or Kim Gamboni by emailing them at valloni@valloni.ch and gamboni@valloni.ch respectively.