Flachi suspended by Italian league

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ROME, Italy -- Sampdoria captain Francesco Flachi was suspended by the Italian soccer league on Thursday, a day after the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) announced that the 31-year-old striker had tested positive for cocaine.

Traces of the drug were found in the player's system in a random anti-doping test after Sampdoria's 2-0 home defeat to league leader Inter Milan on January 28.

Flachi reportedly said Wednesday that he was calm and that he would clarify everything at the opportune moment.

Flachi can ask for his backup "B" sample to be tested in line with CONI protocol. If he fails that, too, he could face a long ban.

Flachi was banned for two months by the Italian soccer league in September for illegal betting.

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