Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Freddie Keighley

Samir Nasri opens up on Drip Doctor scandal that 'destroyed him' and saw 18-month ban

Samir Nasri has lifted the lid on his 2018 treatment which led to an 18-month ban from football.

The former France star was enjoying an impressive 2016/17 season with Sevilla while on loan from Manchester City at the time of the incident.

During a holiday in Los Angeles, he underwent a drip treatment of vitamins, which is allowed within limits.

However, it is alleged he was injected with 10 times the 50-millilitre infusion limit allowed by World Anti-Doping Agency regulations.

After a Spanish Anti-Doping investigation, UEFA initially banned Nasri for six months and this was extended to an 18-month ban in 2018.

Nasri was on loan at Sevilla when the incident occurred (Getty Images)

And the former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder has opened up about how he felt "destroyed" in the aftermath of the treatment.

"What happened in Los Angeles ruined my season," Nasri said on Instagram.

'It was an injection of vitamins that was legal and I had a prescription but the clinic injected me with a greater amount than I had expected.

"I was destroyed because I thought I was going to be banned for two years. I didn't want to play any more after that.

"I even told [Sevilla boss Jorge] Sampaoli to leave me out, but he always wanted me to play.

"I was lost, I was anxious and angry with everything. I didn't show it on the pitch but football was over for me."

A two-time Premier League winner with Manchester City, Nasri joined West Ham United on a short-term loan at the end of the 2018/19 season.

He made five league appearances for the Irons before being released at the end of the campaign and linking up with former teammate Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht.

However, his time with the Belgian club may also come to a swift end after he failed to inform them of his movements during lockdown.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.