Lazaridis faces two-year drug ban

Lazaridis faces a two-year ban

Perth Glory have confirmed former West Ham and Birmingham winger Stan Lazaridis has tested positive for a banned substance.

Lazaridis, 34, tested positive for finasteride, but Glory claim he was using the drug to treat hair loss.

Use of finasteride carries a maximum two-year ban, but Lazaridis has the backing of his club and the Professional Footballers' Association.

A statement on Glory's website said: "We will continue to support him."

He received a Threapeutic Use Exemption providing him permission to use the substance Perth Glory statement

Finasteride is banned as it could act as a masking agent, but Perth claim Lazaridis was given permission by the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) to use the treatment containing the banned substance.

The Football Federation of Australia has convened an anti-doping tribunal to determine whether Lazaridis has a case to answer.

Glory said in their statement: "Lazaridis has a medical condition requiring treatment, and the prescribed treatment contains a substance which may act as a masking agent and as such is prohibited under the FFA's anti-doping policy.

"Lazaridis received a Threapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) issued by the ASDMAC providing him permission to use the substance in January 2007.

"Perth Glory will support Lazaridis through the process and he has the support of the PFA. He has also engaged senior legal counsel."

Lazaridis last played for Australia in a friendly against Paraguay in October.