 Xavier is determined to continue the fight |
Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier is to take his drugs ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The 33-year-old Portuguese full-back was handed an 18-month ban by Uefa after testing positive for an anabolic steroid in September.
Xavier insists the positive test resulted from medication for a virus which affected his immune system.
He said: "I will fight, I have the right to go to a civil court because I want a fair and common sense decision."
Xavier became the first Premiership player to be found guilty of taking performance-enhancing drugs when a routine test after Boro's Uefa Cup tie against Xanthi showed the presence of dianabol, a steroid favoured by body-builders.
The Portuguese international's initial appeal to Uefa failed, but Boro are giving him the opportunity to clear his name.
Xavier said: "I will fight, I will go to the end because at this moment I cannot work.
"I think an 18-month ban was very, very severe."
Professional Footballers' Association chief executive fears Xavier's appeal could have little chance of succeeeding.
Taylor said: "I think it's going to be an extremely difficult case to turn round now.
"The judges are going to say the rules were clearly laid down and that if you're on medication for a virus there was ample opportunity to tell the Middlesbrough club doctor."
MMIX
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Match of the Day - Post-match interviews