http://www.concacaf.com/page/GoldCup/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2374171,00.htmlBy Ivan Orozco
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Mexico suspended five members of its national team Thursday after testing positive for a banned substance in a pre-tournament training camp, making them ineligible for their game against Cuba, a team spokesman said.
Antonio Naelson, Christian Bermudez, Edgar Duenas, Francisco Javier Rodriguez and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa all tested positive for clenbuterol, a drug used to treat breathing disorders, during the team's Mexico training camp in Mexico prior to the Gold Cup, team press officer Juan Jose Kotchen said Thursday at the team's hotel.
Because the five all tested positive for the same substance, it is believed the source was meat consumed during their time at training camp, Kotchen said.
Germany's anti-doping agency has issued a warning to its athletes about consuming meat in Mexico because of it being tainted with clenbuterol, sometimes spelled clembuterol, more than in China.
Kotchen said it has not been determined for how long the players will be suspended. The suspended players were to travel with the team to Bank of America Stadium for the match against Cuba.
CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said a meeting of the confederation's national teams committee, which also serves as the organizing committee of the Gold Cup, will be convened Friday to consider the situation, including possibly allowing Mexico to replace the five players.