The Portner doping scandal. - The handball league seeks a prompt resolution.
The Handball Bundesliga (HBL) aims to conclude the doping case involving goalkeeper Nikola Portner, from Magdeburg, by the end of June. Portner recently submitted a comprehensive 80-page statement to the HBL, as revealed by "Magdeburger Volksstimme" (Saturday). Andreas Thiel, a legal advisor, will review this document, together with the HBL, to come to a judgement on the 30-year-old Portner. There's a range of possible outcomes, including a complete acquittal or even a four-year ban.
Spokesman for the HBL, Oliver Lücke, expressed the urgency of the matter to the newspaper, stating, "We're aware of the pressure this topic is under. We want to inform player Nikola, Nada, and the Magdeburg club about the verdict as soon as possible so everyone can plan accordingly."
A positive A-sample test
On April 10th, National Anti-Doping Agency (Nada) detected methamphetamine in Magdeburg Champions League winner SC Magdeburg goalkeeper's test. As a result, Portner was suspended.
The B-sample verification confirmed the initial finding. The prosecutors of Magdeburg closed the criminal case against Portner in late April. However, this decision didn't affect the doping proceedings.
SCM lawyer Rainer Tarek Cherkeh provided additional context, stating that the measured concentration was much lower than a typical dose of this substance and that "there's no evidence of Portner having consumed methamphetamine in the weeks and months prior to the doping test."
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The Handball Bundesliga (HBL) is currently dealing with the doping case of Nikola Portner, a goalkeeper from SC Magdeburg, which originated from a positive A-sample test for methamphetamine on April 10th. Despite the Magdeburg prosecutors closing the criminal case against Portner in late April, the doping proceedings continue. The HBL is aiming to reach a resolution by the end of June, with legal advisor Andreas Thiel reviewing Portner's 80-page statement.
Portner's suspension from the Magdeburg Champions League team has caused a significant impact, with a range of potential outcomes, from a complete acquittal to a four-year ban. SC Magdeburg's lawyer, Rainer Tarek Cherkeh, argued that the measured concentration was lower than a typical dose and there's no evidence of Portner having consumed methamphetamine recently.
Meanwhile, the Handball Bundesliga is under pressure to resolve the case as quickly as possible, with Spokesman Oliver Lücke wishing to inform Nikola, Nada, and Magdeburg club as soon as possible so everyone can plan accordingly. The case of Nikola Portner serves as a reminder of the strict anti-doping policies enforced in German sports, including Handball Bundesliga and Bundesliga.
