Do footballers smoke weed? Is it legal in Football?
Yes, some professional football players do smoke weed. However, it is important to note that cannabis use is not allowed in professional football. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) includes cannabis on its list of prohibited substances, and all FIFA member federations are required to comply with WADA’s anti-doping code. This means that any player who tests positive for cannabis during a competition or out-of-competition testing period can be suspended or banned.
Reasons why uses of cannabis are prohibited:
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) bans the use of cannabis for a few reasons:
- Impaired judgment and reaction time: Cannabis can impair judgment and reaction time, which can be dangerous for athletes who participate in sports that involve a high risk of injury. For example, an athlete who is under the influence of cannabis may be more likely to make a mistake that could lead to an injury to themselves or another player.
- Addiction: Cannabis can be addictive, and athletes who use cannabis may be more likely to use other, more dangerous drugs. This is a concern because drug addiction can have a negative impact on an athlete’s performance and overall health.
- Masking the use of other performance-enhancing drugs: Cannabis can mask the use of other performance-enhancing drugs, which could give athletes an unfair advantage over their competitors. This is why sports organizations have a vested interest in keeping cannabis out of the sport.
- Public perception: Cannabis is still illegal in many countries, and there is a perception that it is a dangerous drug. WADA is concerned that allowing athletes to use cannabis could send the wrong message to young people and damage the public image of sport.
Players who were caught smoking weed:
- Mesut Özil
- Diego Maradona
- Roberto Mancini
- Gino Coutinho
- Chris Armstrong
- Bernard Lama
- Ibrahim Tanko
- Mbulelo Mabizela
- Wilder Medina
- Edgar Davids
- Adrian Mutu
- Kolo Toure
How did these players get caught?
- Mesut Özil: In 2018, a photo of Özil smoking weed with teammate Shkodran Mustafi was published on social media.
- Diego Maradona: The Argentine legend was suspended for 15 months in 1991 after failing a drug test for cocaine and cannabis.
- Roberto Mancini: In 2002, Mancini was tested positive for cannabis after a Serie A match between Lazio and Udinese.
- Gino Coutinho: In 1997, Coutinho was arrested for possession of cannabis in Amsterdam.
- Chris Armstrong: In 1991, Armstrong became the first player in the English Premier League to be tested positive for cannabis, immediately he was banned from 4 games.
- Bernard Lama: In 1997, Lama tested positive for cannabis after a friendly match between France and the Netherlands, he was banned for two months.
- Ibrahim Tanko: In 2000, Tanko was tested positive for cannabis after a UEFA Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.
- Mbulelo Mabizela: In 2008, Mabizela was tested positive for cannabis after a South African Premier League match between Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows, he was banned for 6 months.
- Wilder Medina: In 2019, Medina was tested positive for cannabis after a Copa América match between Bolivia and Venezuela.
- Edgar Davids: The former Dutch international was banned for four months in 2001 after testing positive for cannabis.
- Adrian Mutu: The Romanian was banned for seven months in 2004 after testing positive for cannabis.
- Kolo Toure: The Ivorian was banned for six months in 2011 after failing a drug test for a substance that is used to mask the use of performance-enhancing drugs, including cannabis.
However, there is growing support for legalizing and regulating cannabis use, including among some athletes and sports organizations. Some people argue that cannabis should be allowed in sports because it is a natural substance that does not have a significant impact on athletic performance. Others argue that cannabis can be used to treat pain and inflammation, which can be beneficial for athletes.
It is possible that the rules regarding cannabis use in sports will change in the future. However, for now, smoking weed is not allowed in soccer football.
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