Australian soccer star Aivi Luik, a midfielder for the Matildas, has been banned for three months by Italian anti-doping authorities. The ban, which has led to Luik withdrawing from consideration for the Paris Olympics, stems from a cortisone injection she received two years ago.
Luik, who was playing for Naples-based club Pomigliano at the time, received the injection in March 2022 from a doctor. However, it wasn’t until April 24th of this year, six weeks before former coach Tony Gustavsson announced the Matildas’ Olympic squad, that Nado Italia informed Luik of the anti-doping violation.
The 39-year-old, currently playing for Swedish club Hacken, expressed her fear that this news could negatively impact the Australian team, leading her to withdraw her name from consideration for the Olympics. “I was terrified at the thought of this affecting the (Australian) team,” Luik said in an interview with Australia’s Sports Ambassador podcast. “I was just so scared of the thought that maybe something like this comes out during the Olympic tournament, and what that would do for the girls and the team in general. So yeah, I had to call up Tony and just pull my name from the selection.”
Luik insists she never failed an anti-doping test and maintains her innocence. However, Nado Italia declined a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) application submitted by Pomigliano on her behalf after the injection. TUEs allow athletes to use substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for medical treatments. The TUE, according to Luik, was the wrong type and sent to the wrong body.
Luik shared that a few weeks after the injection, club officials informed her of a 60-day suspension as a “wash-out period” to ensure her body was free of any banned substances. She missed the last three games of the season and ultimately left the club.
Luik fought to clear her name before an Italian anti-doping tribunal, arguing that the injection was only prohibited during competition and that she had received it out of competition. However, the tribunal deemed the substance a potential performance-enhancing agent. While acknowledging Luik’s lack of intent to violate rules and finding a minor level of negligence, the tribunal imposed the three-month ban due to the principle of strict liability.
Nado Italia and Football Australia have not yet commented on the matter. Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), the union representing Australian footballers, has pledged its full support to Luik. In a statement, the PFA emphasized the need for an anti-doping system that respects athletes’ rights and effectively achieves its goals.
This case highlights the complexities of anti-doping regulations and the potential impact they can have on athletes’ careers and participation in major events like the Olympics.
