KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation (MBF) today confirmed that Sazali Samad failed an out-of-competition doping test conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) in September.
The 10 time Mr Universe winner was found to have a form of steroids in his system and has been slapped with a four year suspension backdated to Sep 22, the day the positive result was received.
MBF deputy president Datuk Dr Ahmad Badrus Othman said Sazali had inadvertently consumed a supplement containing the banned substance. He, however, declined to reveal the exact name of the steroid.
"Sazali had been consuming the supplement for two or three months prior to the test (conducted on Sep 1)," said Badrus at a press conference organised by MBF at the Desa Tasik Sports Complex today.
"The supplement was an updated version of one he had already been taking in the past and he overlooked the fact that it contained the banned substance.
"It is unfortunate as he has contributed a lot to the sport in the country and has never failed a doping test before."
Badrus added that as the sample was taken out-of-competition, Sazali will not be stripped of the titles he had won prior to the test.
Sazali was expected to attend a press conference but did not show. MBF honorary secretary Kamaruzaman Kadir disclosed that he had returned to his hometown in Muar and will release a press statement within two or three days.