FIFA Bans Dynamos Player for Failing Dope Test
ZIFA says the player will no longer play for his Harare team and the Zimbabwe national team until the ban expires
WASHINGTON DC — Dynamos player and Zimbabwe Warriors midfielder, Devon Chafa, has been banned from playing soccer for six months after failing a dope test. ZIFA spokesman Xolisani Gwesela confirmed receiving a letter Monday from FIFA indicating that Chafa should not be allowed to even access any form of sponsorship while he is banned. “This letter indicates that Chafa, who is no longer allowed to play soccer for six months, will start serving the ban on August 30, 2013. This means that he is no longer able to play for his team and the Zimbabwe national team until the ban expires,” said Gwesela. He said ZIFA informed the player about the ban Monday “and he looked extremely sad about it though he appears to be a brave young man who will go back to the soccer pitch when the ban ends.” Gwesela said FIFA indicated that Chafa used a prohibited substance, prednisone. Chafa tested positive for the prohibited drug following a routine FIFA doping exercise during the 2014 World Cup football qualifier between Zimbabwe and Egypt in June this year which was played in Harare. Chafa has claimed that the substance is linked to some medication he currently is taking for an undisclosed ailment. He was not available for comment.