French runner Dehiba banned for two years for doping

PARIS, Apr 15 (Reuters) French 1,500 metres record holder Hind Dehiba has been banned for two years for doping by the French Athletics Federation (FFA), sports daily L'Equipe reported today.

The 27-year-old Dehiba and her husband and coach Fodil were arrested at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport in January after vials containing human growth hormone were found in her luggage on their return from a training session in the United States.

The French federation ordered tests which showed traces of the banned blood-boosting drug erythropoietin (EPO) in her A and B samples.

Dehiba said she would contest the ruling and, if necessary, would refer the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), L'Equipe added.

Her husband has been placed under investigation for allegedly trafficking in banned substances and faces charges.

French middle-distance running has been marred by a series of doping offences in recent months.

Two athletes, Latifa Essarokh and Nordine Gezzar, were suspended for two years after testing positive for banned substances last year.

REUTERS SAM RN1616