Retired Sweden goalie convicted of doping
September 3, 2009 - 0:0
STOCKHOLM (AP) — A Stockholm court has convicted retired Sweden goalkeeper Magnus Hedman of doping after police tests revealed traces of anabolic steroids in his blood.
The Solna district court sentenced Hedman, who has played with British clubs Chelsea, Coventry and Celtic, to a fine of 5,400 Swedish kronor (C$825).Anabolic steroid use for non-medical purposes is illegal in Sweden.
Hedman was tested for drug use by police in May after they found suspected illegal substances in his car. However no charges related to drug possession were filed.
The 36-year-old has denied deliberately taking steroids. In an interview with Swedish tabloid Expressen he suggested the drug might have been included in a nutritional supplement he believed was vitamins.
""I find it very difficult to assess when I made my mistake. I was unaware of it myself,"" he was quoted as saying.
Hedman played 58 games for Sweden and represented his country in the 1994 and 2002 World Cups and two European Championships.