Jon Conway has started all 28 MLS games for the Red Bulls this season (Michael Dwyer/Associated Press)Major League Soccer has handed out its first suspensions for using performance-enhancing drugs, nine years after the league began testing.
New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Jon Conway and defender Jeff Parke each received a 10-game ban on Thursday after testing positive for androstatriendione and boldenone metabolites.
The drugs got into the players' systems after they purchased and used an over-the-counter nutritional supplement from a vitamin store that is part of a national chain, the league said.
Conway and Parke were each fined 10 per cent of their salary — Conway makes $115,000 US this season, while Parke has a base salary of $57,488 — and both are prohibited from playing in other competitions while under suspension.
"MLS has one of the strictest drug policies in professional sports and holds its athletes both responsible and accountable for what they put into their bodies," commissioner Don Garber said. "This is an important statement as to the high standards to which we hold our players."
MLS began testing for performance-enhancing substances in 1999.
Conway has started all 28 MLS games for the Red Bulls this season, posting a record of 9-10-9 with seven shutouts.
Parke has played in 24 contests, starting all but one.
"This is a sad day for our club and our fans," team managing director Erik Stover said. "We are extremely disappointed that Jon and Jeff have tested positive for a substance banned by MLS's policy."
With files from the Associated Press
