ABEL XAVIER is facing a worldwide ban from football of up to two years when he appears at a UEFA disciplinary hearing next week to answer a charge of taking a banned performance-enhancing drug.
The experienced Portuguese defender signed a one-year contract with Middlesbrough towards the start of this season and at 32 he could decide to hang up his boots if a lengthy ban is dished out to him.
If Xavier does receive a suspension he will become the first Premiership player to be charged with taking such a drug in the league's history.
The Boro defender will appear before a UEFA disciplinary hearing on November 17 and it has been claimed that the drug in question is Dianabol. Results of the B-sample are understood to have failed to clear his name.
Boro were told on October 14 that Xavier had tested positive after being randomly selected to give a urine sample following his appearance in the UEFA Cup second leg tie with Greek side Xanthi on September 29.
Xavier has vigorously protested his innocence and it is thought he will claim the legal supplements he was taking were contaminated.
Read more about Middlesbrough here.
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