Mayrleb facing two-year suspension

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VIENNA, Austria -- Former Austria international Christian Mayrleb is facing a ban of up to two years following a positive 'A' test for a banned diuretic.

The 34-year-old striker admitted using the substance as medication for high blood pressure but had not informed anti-doping agencies, his club FC Pasching revealed.

The Austrian league announced the result of the doping test earlier on Friday, without naming Mayrleb directly. Pasching president Franz Grad later confirmed that Mayrleb was the player involved.

Grad said he would not be selected for Saturday's first division match against Sturm Graz but added the club were standing "fully behind the player".

Diuretics are included on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances as they can be used to eliminate traces of doping.

Mayrleb was tested unannounced by the Austrian anti-doping commission during a training session on November 6.

The league said the player could ask for a B test to be carried out on the same sample within seven days, adding that FIFA regulations demanded a ban of between six months and two years for first-time doping offenders.

Mayrleb had a spell in the English Premier League with Sheffield Wednesday in 1998 before returning home to play for Austria Vienna, Salzburg and Pasching.

He was the Austrian league's top scorer in 2005 during the first of two spells with Pasching and won 27 caps for his country, scoring six goals.

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