Atlas stunned after midfielder hit with four year playing ban after positive test

Atlas FC’s Edyairth Ortega has been punished with a four-year suspension. The resolution comes about after the verdict from the World Anti-Doping Agency following a positive test in a routine control. The Atlas FC board had decided to separate him from the squad since January of this year, when the case first became known.

With this ruling Ortega is now unable to compete in any team or league that is affiliated with FIFA. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) notified the club of the decision after analyzing the case for several months. Atlas claim to be shocked by the decision with defender José Javier Abella maintaining that they will help and stand by the central player.

Months ago, Atlas president José Riestra acknowledged the existence of the positive doping case, stating at the time. “I would not like to go into detail about that information. Without a doubt he is going through a complicated process, a personal situation and until we have confirmation, we can’t do anything about it”.

It is expected that the player and club will lodge an appeal against the decision, but if it is unsuccessful, Ortega will be out of the game professionally until 2027.

October 2022 was the last time when Edyairth Ortega pulled on the Atlas shirt. After he tested positive in an anti-doping control, the club were notified at the beginning of 2023, which lead to the 26-year-old being isolated from the rest of the squad.