MADRID: Lawyers for French midfielder Samir Nasri have indicated that he expects to be banned from all football for six months for a doping offence writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

The former Manchester City player is likely to be punished because of a drip treatment he undertook at a Los Angeles clinic in 2016.

Nasri, 30, took the treatment while on holiday, but it contravened World Anti-Doping Agency rules, prompting an investigation by the Spanish anti-doping authorities. Conclusions were referred to European federation UEFA.

Nasri, who is without a club having left Turkish side Antalyaspor in January, received treatment from a private medical company, Drip Doctors, in his hotel room.

At the time he was on loan from Manchester City to Sevilla and posed for a photograph with the organisation’s co-founder Jamila Sozahdah that drew publicity.

WADA rules state there is a 50 millilitre infusion limit per six-hour period for active athletes but it was alleged he received 500 millilitres of hydration in the form of sterile water containing micronutrient components.

In February 2017, a request by Sevilla for a retroactive therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for Nasri was refused by UEFA whose decision was later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Nasri’s spell with Antalyaspor lasted only six months after he joined from Manchester City in August 2017.

Earlier he played for Arsenal from 2008 to 2011 before moving to City for £25m, going on to win two Premier League titles with them.

During his loan spell at Sevilla last season he made 30 appearances and scored three goals.

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