Barnsley defender, Bambo Diaby has been banned from football for two years for breaching the Football Association’s anti-doping regulations.

The UK Anti-Doping officials found traces of prohibited fat burner Higenamine in a urine sample provided by the 22-year-old following Barnsley’s match against Blackburn on 23 November 2019.

The FA confirmed in a statement thay the Senegalese footballer admitted the charge but failed to establish how the substance entered his system, leading to a suspension from all football-related activity until January 16, 2022. 

An FA statement read: “Bambo Diaby has been suspended from all football and football-related activity for two years following a breach of The FA’s Anti-Doping Regulations.

“The Barnsley FC defender provided an in-competition urine sample to The FA and UK Anti-Doping officials on 23 November 2019 that was found to contain Higenamine once analysed.

“The World Anti-Doping Agency classifies Higenamine as a prohibited substance at all times and he was subsequently charged by The FA for a breach of its Anti-Doping Regulations.

“While Bambo Diaby admitted the charge, he did not establish how the Higenamine entered his system. As such, an independent Regulatory Commission imposed the mandatory two-year ban.

“The suspension is effective from the date of the player’s provisional suspension on 17 January 2020 and will run up to and including 16 January 2022.”

Diaby, who signed for Barnsley from the Belgian club Lokeren in July 2019 and played 22 times for the club, issued a statement to fans of the Yorkshire club following his ban from football.

In his statement, he wrote: “I am devastated with the news that I have received which means I cannot return to play football until 2022.

“This has been such a long process but I had remained upbeat and inspired by the support and backing from the club.

“They supported me from day one of my charge and I am so grateful for that.”

He added: “I maintain my innocence, something the FA have acknowledged themselves but I must handle this decision with my family and look forward to a brighter future

This is a stop in my dream but I believe in myself. I will fulfill my dream. See you soon. ⚽️💪🏿 https://t.co/RMg9Zi8zFN

— Bambo Diaby (@bdiaby5) October 7, 2020