AFC bans two players for doping violations

Kuala Lumpur: Avchiev Takhir of Kyrgyzstan and Doan Ngoc Hao of Vietnam have been hit with two-year bans for doping offences, the Asian Football Confederation has announced.

Defender Avchiev failed the doping control test following Kyrgyzstan`s match against Palestine on May 19 during the AFC Challenge Cup, the AFC said in a statement late Saturday. Avchiev tested positive for the banned drug Norandrosterone and is forbidden from taking part in any football-related activity until June 6, 2016, the AFC said. Meanwhile Hao, a midfielder, tested positive for levo-methamphetamine following Vietnam`s match against Iraq on April 30 at the AFC Futsal Championship and is suspended until May 25, 2016. The AFC said both players could appeal against the suspension.