Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) has released the following statement in relation to former Adelaide United player Ken Ilsø.
Ken Ilsø pleaded no-contest to an Anti-Doping Rule Violation Notice and has accepted the two-year ban proposed by FFA as a result of being tested positive for the drug benzoylecgonine on 27 January 2019.
PFA Chief Executive John Didulica said:
“It was a difficult period for Ken in Australia and it was important that he had support available to him through a time of significant personal challenge.
“Equally, it is important to recognise that there has been no finding that Ken sought to enhance his performance. Quite the opposite, it was expressly acknowledged that this was not the case. He made an error in judgment, has accepted the consequences. The PFA will continue to work with he and our colleagues in Denmark to ensure Ken can manage this difficult period.
“WADA is currently re-assessing the sentences for offences of this nature (i.e. substances of abuse which are found not to have been taken with an intent to enhance performance). This recognises the need to treat such matters with a degree of proportionality and through the lens of addiction and wellbeing.”
