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Page last updated at 09:35 GMT, Wednesday, 24 December 2008

Liberia's King accepts Fifa ban

Fifa HQ
Melvin King says he accepts Fifa's five month ban

Liberia goalkeeper Melvin King says he will accept a five month ban imposed by the game's world governing body, Fifa.

But he says the only medication that he took before his failed drugs test was given to him by the national team doctor.

He tested positive for a banned substance in June after a World Cup qualifier against Senegal.

"The problem is not from me," he told BBC Sport.

"I have not been taking drugs. The drugs were given to me by the team doctor.

"I told him that I had a pain in my muscle and he gave me the drugs, so I had no other alternative.

"That was the only drugs that I took. I cannot take drugs unknown by the team doctor."

The Liberia Football Association (LFA) says the team doctor did give King a pain killer but insist that it does not contain the substance he has been banned for.

But the LFA says it does not think King took the substance deliberately and he will be considered to play for Liberia when his ban ends in February.

The player himself is looking to the future.

"I have to undergo the punishment [because] I respect Fifa," he said.

"I believe this is not my stopping point. I believe I have more to do, so I accept the punishment."



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see also
Liberia's King handed doping ban
18 Dec 08 |  African
Liberia rally means Senegal draw
15 Jun 08 |  African


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