The suspension of Portugal’s national handball player Miguel Martins due to a doping offense has been canceled-the B test was negative, his club said.
The 27-year-old back room player can now take part in training and playing again, said his Danish association Aalborg HB. Martins was suspended by the World Association IHF on January 14th on January 14th because of a year old positive doping test and was therefore missing Portugal at the World Cup. On Friday evening, Aalborg from the European Association EHF was now informed that the B test was negative and the lock was lifted with immediate effect.
“Of course, the exclusion was a shock and the last month for me and my family incredibly hard. I am extremely happy that the B-Test showed my innocence, because I always said that,” said Martins in a message from his club.
EHF: Had a negative test from Martins
The case had caused a sensation due to several inconsistencies. According to the International Test Agency (ITA), the rehearsal from Martin’s rehearsal on January 13, 2024 had shown a “analysis result deviating from the standard in relation to exogenous testosterone”. However, the ITA is actually not responsible for doping samples at tournaments of the European Handball Federation (EHF), but the EHF’s own anti-doping unit. Martins had already tested this at the European Championship – and had come to a different result.
“The rehearsal we have from him is a rehearsal from the European Championship-and it was negative,” said Hans Holdhaus, head of the EHF anti-doping unit. And EHF general secretary Martin Hausleitner had explained: “For whatever reason, the ITA has reopened the rehearsal in March.”
Does a legal aftermath follow?
It is open whether Martins submit a claim for damages and the case will still receive a legal aftermath. The Portuguese wanted to concentrate on sport in the near future, his club said. Aalborg will be guesting at the German champions SC Magdeburg next Wednesday in the Champions League – possibly with Martins.