Footballer Subrata Paul, who failed dope test, says he is innocent, will go for 'B' sample test

Celebrated Indian goalkeeper Subrata Paul is staring at a career-threatening four-year ban after failing a dope test but has vowed to prove himself innocent by going for the confirmatory 'B' sample test.

"I have played football for a long time and I have done these tests like 15 times before. Never have I failed one, and at the age of 30 I won`t do anything like this," Paul, who has over 60 caps for the national team and is an Arjuna Award winner, told reporters on Tuesday.

"I have had a bronchial problem and I am not aware of TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption)," Paul, whose heroics under the bar in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final is part of Indian football`s folklore, added.

All India Football Federation General Secretary Kushal Das said Paul, an Arjuna Awardee, flunked an out-of- competition test last month.

"Yes, Subrata Paul's 'A' sample has returned positive for a banned substance and he can be banned for four years if his 'B' sample also tests positive. The urine sample was taken by NADA on March 18 when the Indian team was in the national camp in Mumbai. All the players were tested during that camp," Das said