Pyramids star Ramadan Sobhi’s sample ‘different from human urine’ in doping case

Pyramids FC forward Ramadan Sobhi’s doping case has taken a fresh turn after the head of the Egyptian Anti-Doping Organization revealed that the player’s sample was found to have components that were “different from human urine.”

Hazem Khamis disclosed that the unusual composition of Sobhi’s sample raised concerns from the beginning of the case and ultimately led to suspicions that the sample had been tampered with.

“The components of Ramadan Sobhi’s sample were different from human urine, and this was a problem at the beginning,” Khamis told Al-Nahar channel. “The logical explanation for this is that the sample was tampered with.”

According to Khamis, Sobhi’s sample was collected during a Pyramids training session, but the player did not admit to any wrongdoing.

“Ramadan Sobhi’s sample was taken from him during Pyramids’ training, but he did not admit his mistake,” he explained.

Khamis stressed that anti-doping violations do not only concern the presence of prohibited substances, with sample manipulation also considered a serious offence under the regulations.

“There is a misconception about the anti-doping organization. There are many substances and procedures. It is possible for a player to take a substance to hide the doping agent. This is called tampering,” he said.

He further explained that tampering with a sample can attract the maximum penalty, while an admission of the violation can lead to a reduction in the punishment because it may be considered evidence of good intentions.

Sobhi’s case initially saw the Egyptian Anti-Doping Appeals Committee lift his suspension, but the World Anti-Doping Agency challenged that decision. The case subsequently reached the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which upheld a four-year suspension.

The Swiss Federal Court has now definitively rejected Sobhi’s appeal, meaning the four-year ban remains in force.

The ruling prevents the Pyramids forward from taking part in sporting activities and also bars him from entering sports facilities, training with a club or undertaking administrative duties in sport throughout the suspension period.

Khamis also defended the Egyptian Anti-Doping Organization following criticism over its handling of the case, insisting that the organization acted within the relevant procedures.

“The Egyptian Anti-Doping Organization faced significant criticism due to the Ramadan Sobhi crisis, even though we are among the top 50 organizations worldwide, and we cannot take improper measures,” he said.