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Uefa has rejected Abel Xavier's appeal against his 18-month ban for testing positive for an anabolic steroid.
Xavier tested positive for a banned steroid after Middlesbrough's Uefa Cup game in Xanthi on 29 September.
The 33-year-old strenuously denied any wrongdoing and is understood to have told Uefa he unknowingly took the drug in a contaminated supplement.
The defender can now either accept the punishment or appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.
A Uefa statement said: "Middlesbrough FC defender Abel Xavier has failed in his appeal against an 18-month suspension for a breach of anti-doping regulations."
Xavier has 10 days to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport once he has been notified in writing of Uefa's decision.
Middlesbrough have said they will not make any comment on the situation until they receive the decision in writing.
The Portuguese defender was originally found guilty at a hearing in Nyon last month and became the first Premiership player to be found to have taken performance-enhancing drugs.
Players have previously been found guilty of using recreational drugs, while Edgar Davids, now with Tottenham, was found guilty of taking nandrolone while with Juventus.
Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam was found to have taken nandrolone while at Lazio, who he joined after leaving Old Trafford.
Xavier, who has previously played for Liverpool and Everton in the Premiership, joined Middlesbrough on a free transfer in August after being released by Italian side Roma.
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Source: BBC Sport |
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