Paul faces 4-year drugs ban

Indian goalkeeping great Subrata Paul said he was "speechless" on Wednesday after he failed a drugs test and was warned he could face a four-year ban.

The "Indian Spiderman", 30, tested positive to a banned substance after a random test by the National Anti-Doping Authority in Mumbai last month.

The goalkeeper, capped 64 times by his country, has denied any wrongdoing, saying he could have ingested terbutaline by accident after taking cold and flu medication.

The World Anti-Doping Agency prohibits the use of terbutaline, used in the relief of asthma symptoms.

"He has tested positive and the punishment is up to four years," Subrata Dutta, senior vice-president of the All India Football Federation, told AFP.

"He can appeal though and if his appeal is granted then it can be reduced to two years. If he can prove that it was totally unintentional, he didn't take the drug to enhance his performance, then he can be totally excused."

Under international rules, Paul, who plays for the Indian league club DSK Shivajians, has the right to request a second test to challenge the findings.

"Nothing to say, I am speechless. I never cheated and will never do it, football is my life," he told AFP.