CAF suspends AS FAR’s Zinedine Derrak for three months over doping violation

AS FAR have confirmed the suspension of their player Zinedine Derrak for three months following a doping-related violation, in a decision issued by the Confederation of African Football.

In an official statement, the club revealed that the player returned an abnormal test result during routine anti-doping checks conducted after one of their African competition matches.

The decision, dated April 8, 2026, stipulates that Derrak’s suspension will take effect from April 9, 2026.

The club emphasised that the player fully cooperated with the authorities throughout the process and complied with all required procedures. According to the statement, the violation occurred after Derrak consumed a product without realising it contained prohibited substances.

AS FAR were quick to underline that the incident remains isolated and does not reflect the player’s overall professionalism. They highlighted his record of discipline and commitment, noting that he had previously undergone multiple doping tests at both domestic and continental levels without any infractions.

The club also reaffirmed its strict adherence to anti-doping regulations, stressing its commitment to upholding integrity and professionalism within the team. It added that appropriate internal measures would be taken in line with its regulations and the applicable legal framework.

This latest case follows a previous decision by CAF to hand a two-year suspension to Hamza Moussaoui of RS Berkane after he was found to have used a prohibited substance, further highlighting the governing body’s firm stance on doping violations in African football.