Two Mexican players, who were thrown out of the Confederations Cup this week, are to be investigated for doping by the Mexican football federation (FMF).
"The investigation will be centred on the presumption that the players ... are contaminated by some non-permitted substance," the FMF said on its official website femexfut.org.mx.
| |||||||||||
FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler, meanwhile, in Germany for the Confederations Cup said that that football's governing body would make a statement on the issue later on Friday.
Cruz Azul players Galindo and Carmona were sent home by the Mexican team management earlier this week after helping the team upset world champions Brazil 1-0 in their second match on Tuesday to secure a place in the semi-finals.
DISCIPLINARY REASONS
Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe said they had been expelled from the tournament for disciplinary reasons.
Cruz Azul coach Ruben Romano was quoted by a Mexican newspaper on Thursday as saying that both players had been disciplined over disagreements with the rest of the Mexico squad on Confederations Cup bonuses.
Doping rumours abounded in Germany after Mexico players and coaching staff refused to discuss the matter further.
Galindo and Carmona, both defenders, also refused to talk about their expulsion when they returned home in mid-week.
The 23-year-old Galindo played against Japan and Brazil as a replacement for injured Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez, while Carmona, 29, is an established international who played at the last two World Cups.
The FMF said that the results of its investigation would be sent to FIFA secretary general Urs Linsi.
FIFA said on Wednesday that the two players had not been randomly selected for dope testing at either of Mexico's World Cup qualifiers at the beginning of June, nor had they been randomly tested at either of Mexico's opening two matches in Germany against Japan or Brazil.
Mexico meet Argentina in one of the semi-finals in Hanover on Sunday. Hosts Germany face Brazil in Nuremberg on Saturday.
More from rediff