Chemnitz basketball player Jason George, who is suspected of doping, will most likely not be used in the upcoming playoffs. According to information from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), a prohibited stimulant was found in his sample.
The corresponding stimulant is assigned to substance class S6. These are substances “that can improve both physical and mental performance in the short term.” The prohibited list lists amphetamines, ephedrine, cocaine and methylphenidate as examples. NADA has not disclosed what substance Jason George is dealing with.
NADA has therefore initiated a results management procedure against George under sports law. If the suspicion of doping is confirmed under sports law, George faces a ban of up to four years. A reduction is theoretically possible, but unlikely due to the inconsistencies surrounding sampling.
Problems related to the doping test
In addition to the presence of a “Prohibited Substance in the Sample” (Article 2.1 of the National Anti-Doping Code) George is also charged with “tampering (…) with any part of the doping control process by the athlete” (Article 2.5). This indicates that there were problems surrounding George’s doping test. Neither NADA nor the association wanted to give more details. According to Matthias Pattloch, the Niners’ spokesman, George is no longer in Chemnitz. After the ban by NADA, it was agreed with George that participation in training would not make sense from a sporting point of view.
He (Jason George, editor’s note) is still a very young person who deserves our support.
Steffen Herhold, Managing Director Niners Chemnitz |
Steffen Herhold, managing director of the Niners, expressed his support for George on behalf of the association. “We are like a family, Jason is not in Chemnitz at the moment, but he is part of the team,” said Herhold in the MDR interview. George wrote a “very nice letter” to the team. “It’s difficult for him, mainly because he can’t help the team. He’ll face it and learn his lessons from it. If the suspicion is confirmed, then he’s made a big mistake. But he’s still a very youngster man who deserves our support.”
What’s next?
The German Basketball Federation (DBB) has transferred the results management and disciplinary proceedings for such cases to NADA. So she is responsible for the consequences of sports law. It can take weeks or even months to reach a decision. That also depends on George’s behavior. NADA did not say whether George had already commented or whether an application had been made to open the B sample and referred to the ongoing process.
Under criminal law, NADA duly reported George to the public prosecutor’s office in Chemnitz. The basis for this is the anti-doping law. The Chemnitz public prosecutor’s office has already confirmed the investigation. The public prosecutor’s office has not commented on whether or when there will be a hearing.
Niners head coach Rodrigo Pastore (left) will most likely have to do without Jason George in the playoffs.
21-year-old George moved to Chemnitz on loan from FC Bayern Munich in December. His contract with the Niners was originally supposed to last until at least the end of the 2023/2024 season.
