Leverkusen cop fine for Ballack indiscretion

Bayer Leverkusen have been fined 25,000 Euros fine due to former midfielder Michael Ballack missing a doping test in September 2011.

The ex-Germany captain skipped the routine inspection a day prior to his then-employers’ 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich last year due to illness.

He initially accepted to appear before the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) but then decided against doing so.

The Bundesliga outfit proceeded to inform the relevant authorities immediately, but, under UEFA protocol, it is required for the club to confirm it in writing immediately. The fax was eventually sent over an hour later.

Leverkusen’s tardiness means that they must now pay a fine after falling foul of the regulations, but spokesman Meinolf Sprink insists they will fight the charge.

“Bayer have accepted the sanction. [But], we will defend ourselves. We should’ve acted responsibly. The inspectors on site were informed immediately,” the official was quoted as saying by Bild.

The case will now be heard on November 30 at the Court of Arbitration of Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.