Peterborough sack Josh Yorwerth as he faces four-year ban for dodging anti-doping test

Peterborough United will sack a player who is set to be banned for four years after he dodged an anti-doping test because he had taken cocaine.

As revealed by Sportsmail, defender Josh Yorwerth, 23, is facing the historic suspension after admitting both charges at a Football Association hearing last week.

The Wales Under-21 international admitted refusing to answer his door to testers when they turned up at his house in September after he had taken the drug the previous weekend.

Peterborough’s  Josh Yorwerth (centre right) faces a four-year ban for dodging anti-doping test

As a result, he was handed the mandatory four-year sentence for test evasion.

Yorwerth, who League One Posh signed from Crawley Town last summer, can appeal the sentence. However, the career of the former Cardiff City and Ipswich Town man would appear to be in tatters. 

A Peterborough statement read: ‘The football club has been working with Josh Yorwerth over the past few months alongside the Professional Footballers Association to try and help him overcome a number of personal issues.

‘The board of directors have been very supportive of him during this case and a representative of the football club has been in constant dialogue with Josh throughout the whole process.

‘However, following the two charges made against Josh (one for evading an anti-doping test and the other for taking cocaine) and the four-year ban issued, the football club wishes to confirm that his contract will be terminated.’

It added: ‘The football club wishes Josh well with his recovery and for his future and hope he continues to get the support he needs from those in a position to help.’    

The proposed ban is thought to be the longest in professional English football history for an anti-doping offence.

Testers turned up at the player’s home on a weekday in September. He had taken cocaine over the previous weekend and falsely believed that a positive test would result in a two-year ban rather than the maximum three months under anti-doping regulations.

Had he taken the test he would also have remained anonymous — even if it had been positive.

Yorwerth (pictured for Crawley in 2018) took cocaine the weekend before he was to be tested

His misguided actions are understood to have raised questions over the education of footballers on the use of drugs and the penalties involved.

The FA are yet to announce the punishment. A spokesman said: ‘This is an ongoing case so it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time.’ 

Yorwerth has made three appearances, last playing in September, since joining League One Posh in July for an undisclosed fee.

Then Peterborough manager Steve Evans, sacked in January, said: ‘There is absolutely no doubt that we have signed the best central defender from League Two.’

Born in Bridgend, Yorwerth came through the ranks at Cardiff City and previously played for Ipswich Town and Crawley.

In 2003, before rules were strengthened, Rio Ferdinand was given an eight-month ban after failing to attend a test, stating he had forgotten that it was scheduled. He passed a test 24 hours later.

In 2003, Rio Ferdinand was given an eight-month ban after failing to attend a drugs test