In January 2022 the Malta Football Association (MFA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Ezekjel Farrugia after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete had prior admitted the violation and did not attend the hearing of the MFA Control, Disciplinary and Etihics Committee.
The Committee finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that he committed an anti-doping rule violation.
The Committee accepts the violation was not intentional although the Athlete failed to attend the hearing in order to demonstrated that the Cannabis was used out-of-competition as a substance of abuse for the application of a reduced sanction.
Therefore the MFA Control, Disciplinary and Etihics Committee decides on 27 June 2022 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 26 January 2022.
