Plzen defender returns positive drug test

Viktoria Plzen defender David Bystron has returned a positive test for a banned substance, the club confirmed on Thursday.

Bystron returned the positive sample following the club’s 1-0 Champions League win over BATE Borisov on November 23.

UEFA informed the Czech team of the test results earlier this week with Viktoria planning on challenging the decision.

The win over BATE helped the club finish third in Group H behind Barcelona and AC Milan, earning them a spot in the Europa League.

Despite Bystron failing the drugs test, the club’s spokesperson Pavel Pillar has confirmed that the test would not put Viktoria’s spot in the Europa League in jeopardy.

“It luckily does not mean anything for the results. All the possible penalties or fines for the club would follow only if the improper use of substances was confirmed among four or five players,” Pillar told the club’s official website.

Byston joined Viktoria in June 2010 from Levski Sofia with the defender grabbing a Champions League goal in the 2-2 draw against Milan on December 6.

Viktoria will face Schalke in the Europa League round of 32 which takes place in February.