"Middlesbrough" confirms positive A.Xavier doping test © EuroFootball.com

The "Middlesbrough" club playing in the English championship confirmed that their defender Abel Xavier received a positive response after a routine UEFA doping test.

The former "Liverpool" and "Roma" player took the test after his team's match in the UEFA Cup against the "Xanthi" team. FIFA took immediate action and banned the player, who had represented the Portuguese national team in the past, from participating in any matches.

"Our club has officially confirmed today that Abel Xavier underwent a doping test after the match against 'Xanthi' on September 29 and that the player's urine test was positive," said the "Middlesbrough" representative.

The club also confirmed that Abel Xavier will participate in a press conference on Tuesday, where he will explain the current situation and perhaps try to deny his guilt.