Quim fails drugs test

Quim's World Cup hopes could lay in tatters

Portugal international goalkeeper Joaquim "Quim" Silva has been suspended after testing positive for the banned steroid nandrolone.

The Portuguese Soccer Federation took the action on Friday and the ban will remain in place until its disciplinary committee considers Silva's case.

No date has yet been set for a hearing.

Silva's suspension could wreck his chances of making Portugal's World Cup squad.

The 26-year-old, who has made 12 international appearances, has denied taking nandrolone.

His club claim the amount of nandrolone found in Silva's urine is too small for a reliable reading.

The keeper first tested positive after a Portuguese league game last October.

A recent second test confirmed the first reading.