Soccer: UEFA upholds Xavier ban

UEFA has rejected an appeal by Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier against an 18-month ban for a failed drugs test.

The 33-year-old Portugal international tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid dianabol after a UEFA Cup tie against Greek club Xanthi on Sept. 29.

Xavier joined Middlesbrough at the end of August on transfer deadline day from Serie A side AS Roma following spells at Bari, German club Hanover 96 and for Everton and Liverpool in England. He also spent time on loan with Galatasaray in Turkey.

The Premier League said he was the league's first player to be banned for taking performance-enhancing, as opposed to recreational drugs.

Xavier, who has denied any wrongdoing, has 10 days in which to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Born in Mozambique, Xavier has played 20 times for Portugal and joined Middlesbrough in the hope it would help him earn a recall to the squad in time for the 2006 World Cup finals.

- REUTERS