NADO: fixed-term bans imposed on two football and futsal players

NADO San Marino – the National Anti-Doping Organisation operating in the territory of the Republic – announces that it has imposed two bans on as many registered players, involved last season in the football and futsal competitions organised by the FSGC. They are Massimiliano Bernardi (La Fiorita futsal, at the time of the test) and Enrico Mantovani (Libertas, at the time of the control).

During anti-doping controls carried out at the Fiorentino venue on 27 April last, the Libertas futsal winger Massimiliano Bernardi tested positive for a prohibited substance – attributable to the unaware and unintentional use of a medication included on the prohibited list, which had in any case been declared by the player himself before the test was conducted. In view of the absence of fault or gross negligence and, moreover, taking into account the cooperation shown by the player in clarifying the circumstances of how the medication had been taken, the NADO Results Management Authority decided to impose a six-month ban on the player (until 17 November 2026), who will be allowed to resume training from 17 September next.

Different circumstances led to the suspension of Enrico Mantovani. Selected for an anti-doping test on 29 April 2026 during the match between Libertas and Juvenes Dogana, he refused to undergo the control. After being made fully aware of athletes’ rights and duties in anti-doping matters, and duly informed of the possible consequences and sanctions arising from his stance, he allegedly repeated this behaviour – even making himself unreachable in the days that followed – NADO reports. In view of his unjustified absence from the analysis, which constitutes a serious breach of anti-doping regulations, and of the player’s intentional conduct in evading the anti-doping control, the NADO Results Management Authority has imposed a four-year ban on Enrico Mantovani.

Although every sports organisation would hope to record only negative results during anti-doping controls, the San Marino Football Federation can only welcome the work carried out and the cooperation with NADO San Marino. Protecting the integrity of sporting competitions, as well as providing athletes and officials with the latest information on anti-doping regulations, is and remains one of the FSGC’s main tasks. Furthermore, the San Marino Football Federation firmly condemns the use of any substances that may alter performances on the pitch. This is not only to guarantee fairness in competition, but also to safeguard the health of registered athletes. While vigilance on such crucial and central issues has always been high, the FSGC – through its bodies – will continuously monitor the situation in synergy with NADO San Marino. This will include, starting from the current 2026-27 season, the stepping up of anti-doping controls.

Further details can be found on the official NADO San Marino page, hosted on the website of the Sammarinese National Olympic Committee (click here).