DFB proceedings against Laura Freigang: NADA confirms three missed doping tests

What does the "strike" system mean?

The "Missverständnisse" she cited had occurred "in den täglich zu aktualisierenden und umfassenden Angaben, die wir als Nationalspielerinnen tages- und stundenaktuell im System zu aktualisieren haben". Background: elite athletes must provide NADA with their whereabouts so they are available for any tests. If testers cannot find the athlete at the given address, it can be counted as a missed test. Freigang also stressed that throughout her career she has "schon eine Vielzahl an unangekündigten Kontrollen absolviert, alle davon negativ".

Comparable cases from other sports show that the legal consequences can be significant. Prominent athletes such as US sprinters Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley were each banned for two years for three "strikes". Coleman's ban was later reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). "Weil beide Fälle im US-Rechtssystem verhandelt wurden, ist der Vergleich zu Freigang aber schwierig". In Germany, however, missed controls may be sanctioned more leniently after a review of the circumstances: according to NADA, a strike can be retroactively annulled once the circumstances have been examined and explained.

Position of the DFB and the national team coach

The DFB has so far remained reserved. "Bislang hat der DFB nur den Eingang der NADA-Mitteilung bestätigt". A DFB spokesperson merely stated: "Die Mitteilung der NADA ist eingegangen, mehr können wir dazu aktuell nicht sagen". Should the association also find a violation, the case would be passed on to the DFB's control commission and sports tribunal. "Werde ich mich nicht zu äußern", national team coach Christian Wück said after the match against Norway. Asked about the proceedings, the 52-year-old Wück also said: "Ich habe den großen Vorteil, dass ich nie so gut war, dass ich bei die NADA eben diese Daten abgeben musste". "Ich war U21-Nationalspieler, da gab es das damals noch nicht". "Aber ich war nie Nationalspieler, ich musste das nie abgeben, von daher kann ich dazu gar nichts sagen".

It is notable that Wück did not nominate the 28-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt attacker for either of the two World Cup qualifiers against Norway or for the upcoming qualifier on Tuesday in Slovenia. "Für den sportlich bedeutungslosen Abschluss der WM-Qualifikation am Dienstag (18.00 Uhr/ZDF) in Slowenien" "wird Freigang weiterhin als 'auf Abruf' geführt". Laura Freigang cheered from the stands as the DFB women secured their World Cup ticket in Cologne. According to reports so far, the non-nomination is not connected to the potential anti-doping violations.

Outlook on the further proceedings

Voices from the DFB women's circle publicly backed Freigang on Saturday. According to information from the team's environment, squad players offered her encouragement and pointed to the Frankfurt striker's consistently negative samples to date. The solidarity is also reflected in reactions on social media, where numerous fans and companions have voiced their support.

The upcoming qualifier in Slovenia is likely to be overshadowed by the proceedings. The DFB side faces the Slovenian team there on Tuesday at 18:00, with the match broadcast live on ZDF. Freigang remains on standby should the squad situation change at short notice. The new Bundesliga season begins on 21 August — whether Freigang will then be able to play for Eintracht Frankfurt depends on the outcome of the DFB proceedings.