British reports claim that 8 Tunisian players fell into the doping trap at the World Cup, and the “Carthage Eagles” doctor responds | sports

The British newspaper “Daily Mail” claimed that the results of some doping tests conducted during the 2026 World Cup showed traces of a banned substance in a number of Tunisian national team players, while no official comment has been issued by the Tunisian Football Association or the International Federation (FIFA) regarding these allegations so far.

The newspaper said, citing what it described as private sources, that at least eight players from the Tunisian national team, including professionals active in British clubs, had abnormal test results due to the presence of traces of Clenbuterol.

She explained that clenbuterol, which is used to dilate the bronchial tubes, is included in the list of prohibited substances of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The newspaper added that the competent authorities later suggested that the effects of the substance were the result of food contamination due to the players eating meat during their training camp in Mexico, and not as a result of its use for the purpose of improving athletic performance.

The Tunisian Football Federation did not comment on what the newspaper reported, according to what the German News Agency reported.

These allegations come after the Tunisian national team’s disappointing participation in the 2026 World Cup, as it exited the tournament in the group stage after losing its three matches to Sweden (5-1), Japan (4-0), and the Netherlands (3-1).

The Tunisian national team doctor responds

In response to the “Daily Mail” allegations, the head of the medical committee of the Tunisian national football team, Dr. Suhail Shamli, said that the appearance of traces of a banned substance in the samples of a number of the team’s players during the 2026 World Cup was due to food contamination, denying the existence of any suspicion of abuse of stimulant substances with the aim of improving performance.

The head of the medical committee said, in statements to Tunisian National Radio, that the prohibited substance first appeared in the sample of player Hannibal Al-Mejbri during the middle of the tournament, and then it was detected in other players.

He explained that this substance is used to treat asthma patients or those suffering from shortness of breath, noting that its use in such cases usually requires obtaining a license from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) or the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Al-Shamli added that investigations showed that the substance was transmitted to the players through contaminated meat, explaining that the use of clenbuterol in livestock farming is known in Mexico, and stressing that “there was no intention on the part of any Tunisian player or any member of the medical staff to use stimulants.”

He concluded by saying that the meat was provided as part of the services provided by FIFA to the participating teams, considering that the responsibility lies with the organizing party, stressing at the same time that “there is no reason to be concerned about imposing any sanctions on the players.”

The Tunisian national team exited the 2026 World Cup in the group stage, after losing to Sweden (5-1), then Japan (4-0), and the Netherlands (3-1). It also became the first team in the history of the tournament to dismiss its coach after one match, when it terminated its contract with Serbian coach Lamouchi, before contracting with Frenchman Herve Renard to lead the team for the remainder of the tournament.