Log leaders Kaizer Chiefs are appalled by the manner in which the story linking one of their players to a positive doping test, was handled by some media and the South African Football Association (Safa).

Releasing an official statement for the first time since the news broke out, the club said it acknowledged receiving a confidential letter from Safa stating alleged traces of a banned substance found in the urine samples of one of the club’s players. Following numerous media reports, the club said the insensitive nature in which the matter has been handled breaches the confidentiality that protects the rights of the player concerned, in a case that is still sub-judice.

Furthermore the club has noted with regret statements made by some top soccer authorities in the media regarding this matter.

In his report tabled before the club management on Monday, Team Doctor, Phil Maepa said he did not deny the outcome of the test of the player’s urine sample, “our player was tested during our game against Supersport United last year (surprisingly tested for the 3rd time) and has allegedly tested 'positive' for a banned substance, as they found 'traces of Methyl Testosterone' in his sample”.

“There was a hearing on the 17 December 2003 but the case was postponed at the request of the pro-foma prosecutor to the 25th January 2004 as Safa did not have a medical expert available as witness because medical and physiological questions were raised at the hearing pertaining to the substance in question. Contrary to media reports we were not party to a meeting held on the 24th December 2003 and neither were we the source of information that came out of that meeting,” said Maepa.

Concluding the report the club stated that, with the matter being sub-judice as it is still before the Safa Disciplinary Committee, no further comments would be made available pending the outcome of the case.