Sobhi faces four-year ban after positive doping test

Pyramids FC star Ramadan Sobhi could face a ban of up to four years after a positive doping test.

The former Al Ahly and Stoke City player has been temporarily suspended by the anti-doping organization pending a hearing, which will take place on June 6.

Sobhi had to miss his team’s last match against El-Gouna and was even excluded from Egypt’s squad for international training in June because of this decision.

Commenting on the decision, Sobhi’s lawyer Hany Zahran said: “Last August, two samples were taken from the player. The first sample was atypical and the second negative.

“We rely on the result of the second sample because if Ramadan had any intention of manipulation, he would have manipulated both the first and second samples.

“A player of Ramadan’s calibre faces a four-year ban, which will deprive both Egypt and the club of his services unless we can right this injustice.

“We will do everything to prove Ramadan’s innocence, even if that means going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” he added.

Ramadan Sobhi has made 22 appearances for Pyramids FC this season, scoring four goals and providing three assists to help the team top the Egyptian Premier League table.

The 27-year-old has been active in Egypt since January 2019, initially moving to Al Ahly on loan from Huddersfield Town before moving to Pyramids a year and a half later.