Tottenham Hotspur Women have confirmed forward Chioma Ubogagu has accepted a nine-month suspension after being charged with an anti-doping violation. The club reported that the decision was reached on Friday April 22, by the FA and an independent tribunal.
The statement explained that Ubogagu was taking two forms of prescribed medication in the United States to treat acne, before making the move to north London. This medication was prescribed from a personal doctor and the FA accepts that she wasn't taking the banned medication (spironolactone) to intentionally secure an illegal advantage.
However, after the 29-year-old made the move to London, Ubogagu continued to take the medication, without knowing it was prohibited. This meant that when she requested a repeat prescription from the Club's doctor, in November last year, the relevant bodies (the FA and UK Anti-Doping) were alerted to the use of the banned substance by the club doctor.
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The club announced that the forward has accepted a nine-month suspension, meaning she will not be eligible to feature for the club until October this year, with the provisional suspension having already started in January. Ubogagu takes full responsibility for the charge and the club's statement included the following comment, from the Tottenham Women's player.
"I am so sorry to my teammates and staff that I can’t be out on the pitch. The Club has been fully supportive throughout this entire process, and I am so appreciative of all their help," she said.
"My faith, family, and close friends have helped me immensely in this difficult time. I am eager to be back soon now that this has been resolved."
Ubogagu explained that she didn't meet Tottenham's medical team straight away, after her move last summer, due to the ongoing Covid restrictions. She had then asked for a repeat prescription of minocycline, which went through fine with the club's doctor, but it was when she requested spironolactone that she received a text from the doctor, telling her it was a banned substance.
The 29-year-old clarified that spironolactone isn't performance enhancing but it is a diuretic, which is why it is on the banned list. When her provisional ban began at the beginning of the year, Ubogagu sent the following message to her teammates, explaining that she didn't want to lie, but also didn't have the full explanation to give them.
"Hey guys, I’m gonna be away for a little bit. I promise I’m alright, but I just need you guys to trust me and when I’m able to explain more, I promise I will," she explained in an article for the Players' Tribune.
The statement on the Spurs website explained that the club and player cooperated fully during the disciplinary process, which took four months, before a decision was reached. Ubogagu hasn't been available for the Tottenham Women since the initial suspension began.
"While my dermatologist is aware of my profession, it is also my responsibility to know more about the medications I am prescribed," the forward said in the statement from Tottenham. The decision for a nine-month suspension, backdated to January, came after an appeal and Ubogagu explained the "relief" she felt.
"I’m buzzing that I’ll be back next season and I just wanna make the remaining years I have left count," the 29-year-old admitted, after initially being told her ban could have been between two and four years.
"While this whole episode has helped me put football in perspective, I’d be lying if I said I am not dreaming of that first game back. I still have the same goals, and I cannot wait to keep chasing them."
Read the full statement from Tottenham here and Ubogagu's full story here.
