Handball professional Nils Kretschmer is to be blocked for four years, so that the ex-captain of second division club TV Großwallstadt threatens the immediate end of career.
The Presidium of Handball Bundesliga (HBL) unanimously decided to sanction the 32-year-old due to the forbidden intake of testosterone. Since the back room player has granted his guilt, the lock could be reduced to three years. The duration of the preliminary suspension is counted towards the lock.
The suspicion of doping had already become public in December, whereupon the HBL temporarily suspended him. TV Großwallstadt separated from him shortly before Christmas.
Doping suspicion after control in September
As part of a competition control carried out by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) on September 29, 2024, the urine sample of Kretschmer “had shown an analysis result from the standard” in the testosterone value, the HBL said.
After receiving the decision, Kretschmer has 20 days by post to comment. He can accept the punishment or apply for disciplinary proceedings from the German Handball Association (DHB). This would then fall under the responsibility of the DHB anti-doping commission. Kretschmer became known primarily as an influencer away from the handball parquet. More than 400,000 people follow him on Instagram.