The FC Red Bull Salzburg announced that two of their players failed the doping test conducted by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
After returning from an international trip last month to Mali, two Malian footballers tested positive for the doping substance.
According to the team, forward Sekou Koita and midfielder Mohamed Camara were reportedly handed a medication before their visiting match against Nambia for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers on November 17.
From Bamako, Mali, the altitude was 350 meters, but it went higher as the plane headed to Windhoek with a recorded altitude of 1,700 meters.
The Mali national side flew for the African Nations Cup qualifier from Bamako in Mali (350 meters altitude) to Windhoek at 1,700 meters above sea level.
The said medication was taken to minimize the altitude sickness of the athletes.
On November 22, the Malian athletes tested positive for the banned substances in Austria. According to the team, the UEFA conducted an advanced doping test ahead of Salzburg's loss to German powerhouse Bayern Munich.
It was mentioned there that the banned substance had not been named, but it was only used for airsickness.
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Despite the failed doping tests, the Austrian club stated that it fully supports Koita and Camara. They are also ready to help in the immediate investigation to clear up the incident.
"We are very proud when our players are called up to their national teams. For a full international match, you have to expect though that medical work will conform to international standards, with doctors who are familiar with the rules," Salzburg general manager Stephan Reiter said in a statement.
Since they tested positive, Koita and Camara have been playing for the Austrian team.
UEFA has not yet commented on the issue.
Salzburg treasures its players' contribution to the team. In 11 matches of Salzburg this season, Seikou Koita played in 10 of them. Mohamed Camara, on the other hand, has played only one game as a midfielder for the Salzburg this season.
FC Red Bull Salzburg continues to be a dominant club in the Austrian Bundesliga.
In Austrian Bundesliga 2019-2020, the 21-year-old Seikou Koita has paced the Salzburg with eight goals in 16 matches. In the Austrian Cup of the same season, the Malian player registered three goals in four matches.
In this year's Austrian Cup, Seikou Koita already had two field goals from three matches.
In Mali, he has played with ASC Bakaridjan and USC Kita before pursuing Europe for FC Liefering and Wolfsberger AC.
Mohamed Camara, meanwhile, has yet to score a single goal for Salzburg. The club is still exploring how Camara can expand his talent with his teammates.
On January 29, 2018, Camara, who was only 18 years old, left AS Real Bamako to test grounds with FC Liefering.
Just one year with Liefering, the now 20-year-old central midfield moved to TSV Hartberg, then returned to Liefering before landing RB Salzburg on July 1, 2019.
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