Lawyer: Nasri banned from football for 6 months due to IV therapy

UEFA has suspended former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri for six months after investigating his use of an intravenous drip more than a year ago, his lawyer told Press Association Sport.

Nasri, who's currently without a club, caused a stir in December 2016 when it emerged that he had visited a clinic in Los Angeles to receive special IV drip treatment. He is said to have taken 500 millilitres of a solution containing vitamins C, B, Lysine, and Zinc.

By contrast, the World Anti-Doping Agency allows just 50 millilitres over a six-hour period because IV infusions can hide other performance-enhancing drugs.

Reports at the time suggested Nasri could face a possible four-year ban, but his lawyer confirmed it will be substantially less than that.

Asked if his client was banned by UEFA, the lawyer said: "Indeed. But he has received only six months suspension."

Nasri was on loan at Sevilla at the time of the treatment, with Spain's anti-doping authorities getting involved in the investigation.

UEFA denied a request for Nasri to obtain a retroactive therapeutic use exemption in February 2017, ultimately leaving him open to a ban.

Nasri began the season with Turkish side Antalyaspor, but left the club in January after making just eight league appearances.