The goalkeeper of the handball Bundesliga club SC Magdeburg, Nikola Portner, tested positive for crystal meth during a doping test after a Bundesliga game in March. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) announced this on Thursday when asked. Methamphetamine is one of the stimulants banned in sports. Portner claimed to be “shocked” and to have behaved properly: “I (…) will do everything in my power to show that I have not violated any anti-doping regulations,” wrote the Swiss national player.
The Handball Bundesliga, which is responsible for managing the process, had to suspend the first-class support of the second-placed team from training and games. Portner is therefore not allowed to take part in the Final Four tournament for the national cup this weekend in Cologne.
After submitting the positive test, NADA informed the Magdeburg public prosecutor’s office in accordance with the statutes of the anti-doping law in Germany, which immediately initiated an investigation, which also included a house search. Portner now has the right to witness the opening and analysis of the B sample in his presence. If the evaluation confirms the result of the A sample, Portner faces a ban of four years. For an acquittal or a reduction, he would have to prove in the sports court proceedings that he was not responsible for taking the banned substance.
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Crystal meth has a stimulating effect, increases performance and, among other things, can quickly lead to psychological dependence with a high probability of self-harm. During World War II, methamphetamine was distributed to German pilots, among others, under the name Pervitin. In 2023, a German professional basketball player was convicted of taking crystal meth. A discovery through an anti-doping test is also seen as an opportunity for those affected to prevent or get rid of an addiction.
