Anti-Doping Statement Issued on behalf of the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Sports Council

The Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Sports Council jointly announce that the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel has determined that Shane Grimes of Drogheda United has committed an anti-doping rule violation.

The Panel found that, contrary to Article 2.1 of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules, Mr Grimes tested positive for the presence of a specified substance, methylhexaneamine (dimethylpentylamine) ("MHA"), in a sample of his urine collected during testing on 11th May 2012.


Mr Grimes has been sanctioned, subject to his right to appeal within 14 days, by the imposition on him of a period of ineligibility of 8 months commencing on 11th May 2012.

The Panel found that in accordance with Article 10.3 of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules Mr Grimes established, on the balance of probability, how MHA entered his body. The Panel was comfortably satisfied that the use by Mr Grimes of MHA was not intended to enhance sport performance or mask the use of a performance enhancing substance.

The Irish Sports Council and the FAI take this opportunity to remind all athletes to be extremely vigilant in the use of supplements in sport. Athletes should always check carefully before they use a supplement to be sure, where possible, that it does not contain prohibited substances.

The hearing was held under Article 8 (Disciplinary Process) of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules and this announcement is made pursuant to Article 15 (Public Disclosure) of the Rules.

• http://www.irishsportscouncil.ie/Anti-Doping/Medicines_TUEs/Supplements_Nutrition/
• http://www.irishsportscouncil.ie/Anti-Doping/Medicines_TUEs/Medical_Advisory_Notes_/Methylhexanamine/