Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri could receive a four-year ban from football, if he is found guiltyof breaking World Anti-Doping Agency rules, according to theDaily Mail.
The Frenchman is still under investigation by Spain's anti-doping agency after his trip to the Los Angeles-based intravenous therapy clinic Drip Doctors last month, although he still played in loan club Sevilla's Copa del Rey fixture against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
We provided @SamNasri19 a concierge Immunity IV Drip to keep him hydrated & in top health during his busy soccer season with @SevillaFC  pic.twitter.com/bfDNeM5vQu
The controversy began when Drip Doctors tweeted that they had helped Nasri stay 'hydrated' with a concierge immunity IV drip. The drip is advertised on their website as 'an infusion tailor-made to boost your immune system', and lists 'vitamin C and B-vitamins' in its contents, also stating the treatment is 'one litre of hydration'.
Intravenous therapy is banned by the WADA unless it is administered in quantities of no more than 50 millilitres per six-hour period, or in cases where an athlete has gained specific clearance on medical grounds.
Sevilla have backed Nasri but have also made it clear they did not know he was having treatment at the clinic. The former Arsenal midfielder would have needed a Therapeutic Use Exemption in order to be exempt from anti-doping regulations. Nasri will be free to play during the investigation and is due to face Leicester in the Champions League next month.
WADA Spokesman Ben Nichols said:˜A violation of Article 2.2 of the code could result in a sanction of up to four years.
"However, this will depend upon factors such as whether or not the use was intentional and if unintentional, the sanction could be subject to further reductions on the basis of no significant fault or negligence."
It has not been suggested that the multi-vitamin treatment contained banned substances but the practice remains prohibited, as it could be used to other up other kinds of doping. The clinic have so far declined to comment, while Manchester City's view is that Nasri is a Sevilla player, and they do not want to interfere in the case by commentating.