Xavier is determined to continue the fight
|
Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier is to take his drugs ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The 33-year-old Portuguese full-back was handed an 18-month ban by Uefa after testing positive for an anabolic steroid in September.
Xavier insists the positive test resulted from medication for a virus which affected his immune system.
He said: "I will fight, I have the right to go to a civil court because I want a fair and common sense decision."
Xavier became the first Premiership player to be found guilty of taking performance-enhancing drugs when a routine test after Boro's Uefa Cup tie against Xanthi showed the presence of dianabol, a steroid favoured by body-builders.
The Portuguese international's initial appeal to Uefa failed, but Boro are giving him the opportunity to clear his name.
Xavier said: "I will fight, I will go to the end because at this moment I cannot work.
"I think an 18-month ban was very, very severe."
Professional Footballers' Association chief executive fears Xavier's appeal could have little chance of succeeeding.
Taylor said: "I think it's going to be an extremely difficult case to turn round now.
Home
MMIX
~RS~a~RS~Domestic~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~43~RS~){kind=small}
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
Match of the Day - Post-match interviews