The Mail on Sunday has revealed 12 of the top-flight players in question tested positive for banned performance-enhancing substances during the five-year period.

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Across all leagues in England, Scotland and Wales, 88 footballers failed drugs tests between 2013 and 2020.

One of the dozen Prem stars tested positive for an amphetamine while there were three findings of triamcinolone – the same drug Sir Bradley Wiggins used to battle hayfever during his 2012 Tour de France victory.

Four Premier League players returned positive tests for Ritalin – a stimulant often used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

It can, however, be used to enhance performance.

One star failed a drugs test after banned testosterone booster HCG was found in their blood during the 2019-20 season.

However, HCG can occur naturally in the body as a result of having a tumour, such as ones found in testicular cancer.

The report claims the player in question was being investigated five months after the finding but was never sanctioned.

Among top-flight stars alone, steroids were found in some blood tests, as well as a diuretic which can help in weight loss AND help mask the presence of other banned substances.

Despite the shocking findings, the UK Anti-Doping agency (UKAD) failed to ban a single player.

However, 15 of the 24 non-Premier League players who returned a positive test WERE banned.

Those suspensions ranged from three months to FOUR YEARS.

According to the report, the FA urged UKAD NOT to release details of cases involving social drugs, rather than performance-enhancing substances.

Some failed tests were not disclosed as they involved under-age players.

The report claims the Premier League are satisfied that all of the 12 failed drugs tests had ‘innocent explanations’.

Therefore, UKAD and the FA – the bodies who police drug testing – saw no need for punishments.