Handball - Magdeburg's Portner acquitted: Nada examines verdict
At the end, the hair sample saved him. Elite goalkeeper Nikola Portner can now resume his favorite pastime, saving balls. The weeks of frustration and anxiety are over. The German Handball League (HBL) has exonerated the Swiss player from SC Magdeburg and lifted his suspension from training and competitive play. The HBL announced this on their website on a Wednesday. With the return of the goalkeeper duo Sergey Hernandez and Nikola Portner, the Champions League winner from last year is back together in the net.
Business manager Schmedt is happy about the goalkeeper duo
"With the HBL's decision, we have our assessment of the situation with Nikola Portner confirmed, and we are pleased that we can start the new season with our goalkeeper duo Sergey Hernandez and Nikola Portner after the summer break," said SCM business manager Marc-Henrik Schmedt.
The independent and renowned doping experts' reports obtained in the further proceedings confirmed that "the amount of the banned substance found in the athlete's body was so low that an active intake and performance-enhancing effect could be excluded and that there was neither an intentional nor an negligent intake." According to the league.
Hair and urine samples clear Portner
Rather, it is assumed that "an unintentional contamination through an alternative, self-explained means is much more likely to be the case. This is also confirmed by the provided hair- and urine samples." The Magdeburg Public Prosecutor's Office also found no evidence during a court-ordered search of Portner's apartment that could be used to draw conclusions about the consumption of methamphetamine. The investigation was closed at the end of April. Prior to this, a positive A-sample from a competition control of the goalkeeper from SC Magdeburg was made public on April 10.
The HBL also emphasized that "the athlete's presented life story and his lifestyle, which was confirmed by many accompanying persons, makes an intentional use of doping substances highly unlikely." The HBL presidium therefore sees no ban in sight. This decision was unanimous. Schmedt, as a member of the committee, was neither involved in the consultation nor in the decision-making process.
NADA checks judgment
However, the HBL's decision is not yet final. The National Anti-Doping Agency Germany (NADA) has taken note of the decision and will examine, evaluate, and decide, after review, whether it will file an appeal.
- SC Magdeburg's goalkeeper Nikola Portner, cleared of doping allegations, can now focus on his favorite activity - playing handball.
- Despite the HBL's verdict, the National Anti-Doping Agency Germany (NADA) will review and decide if they will appeal the exoneration of Portner.
- In Saxony-Anhalt, Portner, a Swiss player for SC Magdeburg, was found not guilty of doping due to an unintentional contamination, as confirmed by the hair and urine samples.
- The HBL's Presidentium made a unanimous decision not to ban Portner, citing his presented life story and lifestyle as evidence of an unlikely intentional use of doping substances.
- The Champions League winner, SC Magdeburg, is delighted with the return of their goalkeeper duo, Sergey Hernandez and Nikola Portner, following the suspension and post-summer break.
