Eight players from Tunisia's World Cup squad have tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol during random drug tests at the tournament. Tunisia were eliminated in the group stage after finishing bottom of Group F, following heavy defeats to Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands. The team also sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi after a 5-1 loss to Sweden in their opening match, replacing him with Herve Renard for the remaining games.
Details of the Positive Tests
According to The Times, traces of clenbuterol were found in samples from eight Tunisian players. Clenbuterol is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned list; it is used to treat asthma but can also help athletes build lean muscle mass and burn body fat. Despite the adverse findings, the players have not been named or suspended, as officials believe the presence of the drug is due to contaminated meat.
Contaminated Meat in Mexico
Tunisia were based in Monterrey, Mexico, for the World Cup. In Mexico, farmers have a history of including clenbuterol in animal feed to reduce fat and increase lean muscle mass in livestock. This has led to previous doping cases linked to contaminated beef. In 2018, Mexican boxer Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez received a six-month ban after testing positive for clenbuterol, which he attributed to eating contaminated beef in his homeland.
"It was a mistake and nothing more, not educating myself about this problem in Mexico. It was my mistake, and I won't repeat it," Canelo said after his suspension. "After all this happened, I've been really careful. I mean, too careful. I think we've gone to the extreme of not eating beef. United States beef is different. I can eat it without any risk because there's more control here. But I'm trying to get used to not eating beef. Because most of the time I'm in Mexico, and I've stopped eating beef."
Historical Precedent
At the Under-17s World Cup in 2011, also held in Mexico, 109 out of 208 players tested had traces of clenbuterol in their samples. No suspensions were issued in that case either, as the unusually high number of positive tests was attributed to contaminated meat. The current situation with the Tunisian players mirrors this precedent, with officials leaning toward the same explanation.
