It was only on Thursday 48 hours before their games when FIFA decided to suspend them. Davids and Couto, tested while playing for their Italian clubs Juventus and Lazio, were both suspended by the league after their positive findings were confirmed. De Boer, tested after a UEFA Cup match between his club Barcelona and Celta de Vigo, is free to play in both Spanish league and international games until UEFA meets next month. Both teams were stunned by the suspensions. Dutch Football Association spokesman Rob Lede said Davids' disqualification, in a letter from FIFA dated Wednesday, came just one day after FIFA informed the Dutch team he could play against Estonia.
Nandrolone builds muscle, aiding strength and speed.
Under most international rules, an athlete testing positive for nandrolone faces a two-year ban. However, FIFA did not say how long Davids and Couto would be suspended, saying the length of the suspension would be determined by Italian socccer officials. The Italian federation has not yet announced its final sanctions for the two players. FIFA has long been seen as out of step with the International Olympic Committee and other bodies on doping. It has been staunchly opposed to automatic two-year drug suspensions.