Tunisia has been rocked after as many as eight players showed traces of a banned drug in doping tests.
The African nation endured a miserable tournament losing all three of their group games. Tunisia also made World Cup history for all the wrong reasons after firing head coach Sabri Lamouchi after just one game.
According to Daily Mail, routine doping tests were carried out during the tournament and found traces of clenbuterol, which is on the World Anti Doping Agency’s banned list. The substance, often used by bodybuilders to drop fat while retaining lean muscle, relaxes airways in the lungs.
• Portugal hero made brazen vow to teammates after Cristiano Ronaldo message
• World Cup viewers furiously investigate VAR decision in World Cup’s most tense moment
It appears that no players will face further sanction after officials deemed the substance was likely down to contamination through food eaten at their Mexico base after an investigation.
Clenbuterol is predominantly used to bulk up cattle and promote growth for farm animals in Mexico.
The substance has caused issued at tournaments in the past, particularly at the Under 17s World Cup in 2011 when over 100 players returned positive tests. Neither WADA or FIFA took action due to evidence suggesting contamination.
England will be hugely outnumbered by a fervent home crowd
England is due to take on Mexico in the last 16 of the competition on Sunday with Thomas Tuchel’s side flying to Mexico City for the game at the Azteca Stadium.
The Three Lions have been warned of the challenges that await them, with the encounter played at high altitude. Mexico’s remarkable record at the Azteca could also give them the edge.
“My understanding is we cannot adapt to the altitude,” said the England boss after beating Congo.
“It’s a huge advantage Mexico will have. We have three days in between the [Congo and Mexico] matches and we cannot adapt to it. We knew that before. It’s just a disadvantage, for which we will have to deal with.”
Mirror Sport has contacted the Tunisian FA for comment.
