Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed that 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner Riyad Mahrez was not in Manchester City's squad for the FA Community Shield over fears he could have tested positive for doping.
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The Algerian captained his country to their second Afcon title about two weeks ago, but wanted to return early from his holiday to take part in the Community Shield on Sunday.
However, Guardiola confirmed after the match that Mahrez was not in the City squad, which beat Liverpool 5-4 on penalties after the game had ended 1-1 in 90 minutes, because he had taken some medicine that could have broken doping rules.
"Riyad called me straight after being champion and say he wants to be back against Liverpool. And I said he was more than welcome," Guardiola said, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
Click through the gallery below to see Algeria's Afcon winners, who were not born in Africa:
"But Riyad took some medicine but we don't know what was in what he took and therefore doping control today was a risk because the doctors did not know what was in the medicine. So that's why he did not play today.
"A guy who rested less but could have played some minutes but we could not take a risk because the doctors didn't have the medicines or exactly what happened and we did not want to risk it."
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It remains unclear what medicine Mahrez took and why he did so, but Guardiola seemed confident the player would be available for City's Premier League opener against West Ham United this Saturday.
What do you make of this strange Mahrez news? Have your say in the comments section below.
