Alexis Sanchez Faces Possible Ban

Manchester United’s latest recruit Alexis Sánchez is facing a “missed-test strike” despite Arsène Wenger admitting Arsenal were to blame for their former player being absent when doping control officers visited the Arsenal training ground.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger speaking to the press on Friday said the Gunners were to blame for not knowing the whereabouts of the Chilean. Jose Mourinho also added “I think Arsenal were very honest in the way they approached the situation,”
“We all know we must tell the whereabouts, our players where they are 24 hours a day.”
“Nobody knew where he was going to be, it was just a period of his transfer. So I think it’s easily understandable, no one’s mistake and just a consequence of the moment.”

Sanchez failed to inform UK Anti-Doping of his whereabouts on Monday while he was finalising his switch to Manchester United, in a deal which saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan join Arsenal in a swap.

The Chilean was absent from the training ground on Monday when doping control officers arrived because he was completing his move to Manchester United.

Sánchez however has responsibility to inform the English FA if he was not going to be at the training ground. Sanchez has been contacted by the FA and he could be handed a “missed-test strike”. Three missed-test strike in a leads to a minimum 12-month ban.

Manchester United has faced a similar situation in the past where veteran defender Rio Ferdinand was suspended for eight months for missing a scheduled drug test.