Eight players in Tunisia’s World Cup squad have tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol during random drug tests at the tournament, according to The Times. Tunisia were eliminated in the group stage after finishing bottom of Group F following heavy defeats to Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands.
Positive tests and suspected contamination
Every player at the World Cup is subject to random drug testing. The eight Tunisian players had traces of clenbuterol in their samples. Clenbuterol is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list; it is used to treat asthma but can also help athletes build lean muscle mass and burn body fat. Despite the adverse findings, officials have not named or suspended the players because they believe the presence of clenbuterol was due to contaminated meat.
Tunisia were based in Monterrey, Mexico, for the World Cup. Mexican farmers have a history of including clenbuterol in animal feed to reduce fat and increase lean muscle mass in livestock. This has led to previous cases of inadvertent doping.
Precedent: Canelo Alvarez and 2011 U-17 World Cup
In 2018, Mexican boxer Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez was handed a six-month ban after testing positive for clenbuterol. He blamed the failed test on eating contaminated beef in his homeland. 'It was a mistake and nothing more, not educating myself about this problem in Mexico. It was my mistake, and I won’t repeat it,' Canelo said after his suspension. 'After all this happened, I’ve been really careful. I mean, too careful. I think we’ve gone to the extreme of not eating beef. United States beef is different. I can eat it without any risk because there’s more control here. But I’m trying to get used to not eating beef. Because most of the time I’m in Mexico, and I’ve stopped eating beef.'
At the Under-17s World Cup in 2011, held in Mexico, 109 out of 208 players tested had traces of clenbuterol in their samples. No suspensions were issued because the unusually high number of cases was also attributed to contaminated meat.
Tunisia’s World Cup campaign
Tunisia were already out of the World Cup after finishing bottom of Group F. They lost 5-1 to Sweden in their opening game, which led to the sacking of head coach Sabri Lamouchi. Herve Renard took over for the remaining matches against Japan and the Netherlands, but Tunisia failed to advance.
