Panamanian Roman Torres, central defender of Seattle Sounders where Raul Ruidiaz plays, tested positive for a banned substance and has accepted the sanction imposed on him by the US professional soccer league (MLS, for its acronym in English).
"I accept the adverse analysis, which may have been caused by unconsciously ingesting a contaminated nutritional supplement that I bought here in the United States," Torres said in an official letter posted on his social networks.
Torres, who is the captain of the Panama soccer team, has been suspended for 10 games in the MLS and must pay a fine equivalent to 20% of his salary.
In a statement, Seattle Sounders reported that Torres will not be able to train with the team or use its facilities during the suspension.
"I never intended to go against Major League Soccer's policy on banned substances, unfortunately I find myself in this situation and will have to accept the consequences," the player said.
DOES IT EXTEND TO PANAMA?
The sanction imposed on Torres by the MLS could be extended to the Panamanian national team, which would mean that the Panamanian defender would miss the first two matches of the Concacaf Nations League, against Bermuda, on September 5 and 8.
"With God's help, I will soon be on the field doing what I love the most, which is playing soccer and defending the colors of my club and my beloved Panama," Torres said on his social networks.
The substance used by the captain of the Central American team, who has started in 11 of the 15 games so far this season with Seattle, is still unknown.
The match in which Torres could return would be on September 29 against the San Jose Earthquakes, complying with the suspension. (EFE)
