NBA All-Star Joakim Noah faces a 20-game unpaid suspension after failing a doping test. The New York Knicks center, son of French tennis legend Yannick Noah, tested positive for a substance similar to anabolic steroids.Noah’s suspension was announced on Saturday, when the NBA confirmed he’d tested positive for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator LGD-4033, a substance intended to produce effects similar to those of anabolic steroids. The over-the-counter supplement is banned under the current league bargaining agreement with the players union.
New York Knicks’ Joakim Noah suspended for 20 games after doping violation
By-dailynewsegypt
Sports
00:03
Monday ,27 March 2017
The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) said neither Noah nor the union will appeal the suspension.
“After a thorough investigation, the NBPA believes that Joakim Noah did not intentionally or knowingly violate any policy,” a union statement said. “We believe that this isolated occurrence was a regrettable mistake. Joakim has offered his deepest apologies for this infraction.”
The NBPA said Noah was “completely forthcoming and cooperative” throughout the investigation.
The 32-year-old has not played since a knee operation last month and his ban will begin with the first NBA regular-season or playoff game for which he is eligible and physically able to play, which means he looks likely to miss the start of next season.