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Stam fails second test

Stam now faces a struggle to clear his name

The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) confirmed that traces of the banned substance were found in a second sample of his urine.

"The counter-test was positive, confirming the first positive test," said Massimo Fabricini, chief spokesman for CONI.

The Lazio and former Manchester United defender tested positive after a Serie A game against Atalanta on 13 October.

Stam wanted his B sample tested in an attempt to clear his name and prove he did not knowingly take the drug.

But the Dutchman, who was suspended indefinitely from all sporting activity on 16 November following a positive first test, now faces a struggle to prove his innocence.

Stam is one of two Serie A players this season to test positive for the controversial steriod nandrolone, the other being Brescia's Spanish international midfielder Pep Guardiola.

Both players have denied knowingly taking any banned substance.

Stam also becomes the second Lazio player to fail a drug test.

Portuguese international Fernando Couto has just recently returned from a ban, while Stam's international colleagues Edgar Davids and Barcelona's Frank de Boer have also been suspended for use of the drug.