UEFA Bans Finland Midfielder Roman Eremenko For Cocaine

Finland midfielder Roman Eremenko has been banned for two years after he tested positive for cocaine, UEFA said Friday.

Traces of cocaine, which is considered a banned stimulant, were found in a sample Eremenko gave after playing for CSKA Moscow in a Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen in September.

The result of that game, a 2-2 draw, will not be affected by Friday's ruling even though Eremenko scored CSKA's second goal.


The two-year ban is backdated to Oct. 6, the date Eremenko was provisionally suspended.

''The club and the player intend to appeal this decision,'' CSKA said in a statement on its website. ''Further comments will be given once we receive the full text of the decision.''