Saido Berahino failed drugs test at West Brom and was suspended by FA before signing for Stoke
SAIDO BERAHINO failed a drugs test while he was at West Brom and was suspended for eight weeks by the FA.
The striker received the ban - which The Sun has exclusively revealed was for MDMA, the chemical found in ecstasy - before his £15million move to Stoke for testing positive for a recreational drug in an out-of-competition test.
Berahino, who made his Stoke debut on Wednesday night, did not make a single appearance for West Brom between September 10 and his transfer to the Potters last week.
And he also failed to appear for the Under-23 team for three months.
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At the time, Tony Pulis claimed that he was absent from the first team because he was struggling with his weight.
But following Berahino's move, Pulis said the striker needed to "get his act together".
The shock revelations will have no impact on his transfer to Stoke, who were made fully aware of the situation prior to the completion of the deal.
Berahino is said to believe there were extenuating circumstances surrounding the positive test.
The news has only just come to light because the FA have a policy of not making the names of those found guilty of doping offences that are not regulated by WADA public.
A positive test for recreational drugs outside of competition is not considered a breach of World Anti-Doping Agency Code.
But the FA does enforce suspensions for fear over players' health and the image of the English game if they are caught using recreational drugs such as cannabis and cocaine.
Two months ago, which would be during the time he was suspended, he told West Brom's website: "This last year has been the most difficult of my career and it has left me short of the form and fitness required for the Premier League.
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"I have never been a player who lacked confidence or a belief in himself but that has been where I have found myself and it has hit me hard.
"It has left me feeling depressed and struggling for focus which has made it even more difficult to regain full fitness.
"I want to thank the club for their support throughout what has been a period of turmoil for me."
Berahino had a chequered history while at West Brom, with the striker filmed inhaling laughing gas on social media in 2015.
The incident was a year after he was filmed performing a similar stunt in a parked car, after which the shame-faced player vowed: “I won’t be doing it again.”
And again in 2015, the African-born ace - who fled from war-torn Burundi aged ten to join his mum
here - was banned from driving for a year after admitting a drink-driving charge.
Berahino landed himself in hot water again last year after posting a video on snapchat of him in his £84,000 matt grey Range Rover Sport hurtling down a motorway to Birmingham airport.
Coincidentally West Brom and Stoke face each other at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
To say Berahino could be in for a frosty reception from the Baggies faithful would be an understatement.