Dinamo Zagreb player fails doping test following win over Arsenal

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Arijan Ademi for failing a doping test after the Croatian club's 2-1 win over Arsenal last month.

Ademi played the entire match against Arsenal on Sept 16.

Zagreb said in a statement Wednesday that it is "surprised" by the allegations:

Our players are constantly under doping control, especially during the UEFA competitions, and this is the first time we are facing a situation like this one. We are surprised because Ademi was selected for doping control six times this year and results were negative every time, as well as results of every other player who was selected for doping control by UEFA or Croatian Anti-Doping Agency.

UEFA has ratcheted up its anti-doping measures this season, adding biological passports to its programme. That allows UEFA to test blood samples over a long period of time and determine whether a player's testosterone level has changed.

The European governing body has denied that there is a doping epidemic in the sport, despite a study indicating a spate of drug use in professional leagues across the continent.

- With translations from ESPN FC