Sampdoria's Flachi banned for cocaine test
MILAN, May 31 (Reuters) - Sampdoria striker Francesco Flachi has
been banned from soccer for 16 months after testing positive for
cocaine, the Serie A club said on Thursday.
Flachi was already suspended pending the final decision by a
disciplinary commission.
The 32-year-old tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine after a
home game with Inter Milan on Jan. 28.
The striker, whose career could now be over, has been in trouble
with the football authorities before.
He was suspended for two months in September 2006 after the Italian
Football League found him guilty of trying to pass information to
gamblers on the possible outcome of matches.