Welsh football player receives three-year ban for Anti-Doping Rule Violation
Welsh football player Evan Press has received a three-year ban from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for Trafficking a Prohibited Substance.
In 2025, Mr Press was sentenced to two-and-a-half-years’ imprisonment for a criminal offence of being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Cocaine is listed as a stimulant on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) subsequently notified Mr Press that he may have committed an ADRV of ‘Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking in a Prohibited Substance’ and provisionally suspended him. Mr Press admitted the ADRV and stated that the violation occurred during a period of personal and financial difficulty following the COVID-19 pandemic.
In January 2026, UKAD proceeded to charge Mr Press with the ADRV, asserting a four-year period of Ineligibility. Mr Press accepted the Consequences asserted by UKAD within 20 days. As a result of his early admission, he was eligible to have his ban reduced by one year in accordance with Article 10.8.1 of the UK Anti-Doping Rules.
Mr Press’ three-year period of Ineligibility began on 26 September 2025 (the date on which his Provisional Suspension commenced) and will expire on 25 September 2028.
Technical terms and more information
Cocaine is listed under section 6 of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 WADA Prohibited Lists (the years Mr Press’ criminal offending and ADRV took place) as a Non-Specified Stimulant which is prohibited In-Competition.
Please note, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, capitalised terms used in this announcement have the meaning given to them in the UK Anti-Doping Rules and/or World Anti-Doping Code.
