Saudi Arabia drops Fahd al-Mowallad from World Cup over doping check

Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard has dropped Fahd al-Mowallad from his 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar “as a precaution” because of the winger’s failed doping check in February.

Al-Mowallad had been included in Renard’s squad for the match regardless of testing optimistic for furosemide, which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned drug listing as a result of considerations it could masks different medicine. But the group mentioned Sunday that it was dropping Al-Mowallad, who performs for Saudi group Al-Shabab, “as a precaution” as there may be nonetheless a case towards him, and that Renard had referred to as up Al-Shabab teammate Nawaf Al-Abed in his place.

Saudi Arabia faces a tricky process is Group C, the place it opens its marketing campaign on Nov. 22 towards Argentina, 4 days earlier than it performs Poland, earlier than its ultimate group sport towards Mexico on Nov. 30.