Doping Investigation
March 6, 2009The two players, Andreas Ibertsberger and Christoph Janker, came under investigation by the German Soccer Federation (DFB) after failing to report promptly to doping control following a 1-1 draw against Borussia Moenchengladbach on Feb 7. The players later tested negative.
The investigation has been suspended due to lack of evidence against the players that would suggest "refusing or missing a doping control after being requested."
Investigation Not Closed
This does not mean Hoffenheim is out of the woods with the DFB. The team's doping official Peter Geigle faces an oral review before the DFB sports court for not informing the players of the doping control and not promptly leading them to where the test was conducted.
It is possible that during the oral review, new information could come to light that would resume the investigation against Ibertsberger and Janker.
In response to the circumstances surrounding this investigation, the DFB anti-doping commission has instituted a new policy that will require chaperones to accompany players selected for doping control from the pitch to the doping tests.
Rainer Koch, head of the DFB anti-doping commission, said "this case will have an educational effect on everyone involved."