10 most famous Doping scandals in football history: Diego Maradona, Rio Ferdinand and more

Doping has long been a painful issue in football, with many cases seriously affecting the integrity of the modern game. Numerous scandals have shocked fans over the years, and such incidents have continued to occur even in recent times. In this article, NowGoal Pro lists the 10 most famous doping scandals in football history.

10 most famous doping scandals in football history

Doping is a term commonly used in sports to describe the use of illegal substances or methods to enhance an athlete’s performance. This often includes narcotics, steroids, growth hormones, and other banned substances that improve strength, endurance, or recovery. In football, there have been many cases of doping abuse that were later detected.

Diego Maradona - 1991, 1994, 1997

In football history, Diego Maradona is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, but his career was also marked by major scandals. In 1991, while playing for Napoli, Maradona tested positive for cocaine and received a 15-month ban. In 1994, he was expelled from the World Cup after testing positive for ephedrine. Three years later, while playing for Boca Juniors, he tested positive again and was suspended for three months.

Pep Guardiola - 2001

Pep Guardiola, now one of the greatest coaches in football history, was also involved in a doping case during his playing career. While playing for Brescia in Italy, he tested positive for nandrolone and was banned for four months. Guardiola strongly denied the accusation. His playing career declined soon after, and he retired in 2006 at the age of 35.

Edgar Davids - 2001

Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids, who was at his peak with Juventus, tested positive for nandrolone in 2001, similar to Guardiola. He received a four-month ban but later returned to Juventus. Davids continued playing for another decade across clubs in Italy, Spain, and England before retiring in 2014, ending a 23-year professional career.

Jaap Stam - 2001

Another case involving nandrolone occurred in Italy in 2001. Jaap Stam, then playing for Lazio, tested positive and was suspended for five months. He was also fined €50,000. The incident marked a difficult period in an otherwise successful career.

Rio Ferdinand - 2003, 2013

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was involved in doping-related controversies, although not due to a positive test. In September 2003, he missed a routine drug test and was subsequently banned for eight months, which caused him to miss Euro 2004. In 2013, while playing for Queens Park Rangers, he committed a similar offense and received a one-match ban and a £25,000 fine.

Kolo Touré - 2011

Ivory Coast defender Kolo Touré, who was playing for Manchester City at the time, received a six-month ban after testing positive for a banned substance found in a diet pill. Touré later stated that he had accidentally taken his wife’s weight-loss medication.

Mamadou Sakho - 2016

Former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho was involved in a doping case following a Europa League match. UEFA initially imposed a 30-day suspension, but it was later lifted due to procedural issues in the testing process. Despite the suspension being overturned, Sakho struggled to regain his place under manager Jürgen Klopp and soon left the club.

André Onana - 2021

In February 2021, André Onana, then playing for Ajax, was banned for testing positive for the banned substance furosemide. UEFA initially handed the Cameroonian goalkeeper a one-year ban, which was later reduced to nine months. The suspension ended in early 2022, allowing him to resume his professional career.

Paul Pogba - 2023

Paul Pogba was involved in one of the most high-profile doping cases in recent years. The French midfielder tested positive for the banned substance DHEA and was initially handed a four-year ban by an Italian court. After appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, his suspension was reduced to 18 months in October 2024. Although Pogba is now eligible to return to football, his peak form from the 2016–2018 period is unlikely to return.

Mykhailo Mudryk - 2024

The final case on the list involves Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk. In December 2024, he failed a doping test and was provisionally suspended from competition. Mudryk reportedly tested positive for meldonium, a banned substance linked to insulin regulation. He faces a potential ban of up to four years and is currently appealing the decision, with no return date confirmed.

These cases highlight some of the most famous Doping scandals in football history, showing how such incidents can impact even the most talented players and leave lasting marks on their careers. For more exciting predictions, facts about world football, consider follow our main page here.