PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION
In his defence with the FA, Berahino explained his personal situation and the fact he had suffered depression due to weight issues and had also turned to drink.
The forward, who shared a picture of him on the Stoke City bus heading back to West Brom for tomorrow’s massive clash, is understood to have received help and advice from the Baggies and the FA.
The striker received the suspension before his £15million move to Stoke last month for testing positive for recreational drug MDMA – which can be taken pure – in an out-of-competition test.
Berahino, who made his Stoke debut on Wednesday night, did not make a single appearance for West Brom between September 10 and his transfer to the Potters last week.
And he also failed to appear for the Under-23 team for three months.
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Baggies boss Tony Pulis admitted today that Berahino DID serve an eight-week suspension while at West Brom – but refused to discuss the matter further.
But following Berahino’s move last week, Pulis said the striker needed to “get his act together”.
The shock revelations will have no impact on his transfer to Stoke, who were made fully aware of the situation prior to the completion of the deal.
Berahino’s manager at Stoke, Mark Hughes, confirmed today that he knew about his new signing’s eight-week FA drugs ban.
The FA have a policy of not making the names of those found guilty of doping offences that are not regulated by WADA public.
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A positive test for recreational drugs outside of competition is not considered a breach of World Anti-Doping Agency Code.
But the FA does enforce suspensions for fear over players’ health and the image of the English game if they are caught using recreational drugs.
Two months ago, which would be during the time he was suspended, he told West Brom’s website: “This last year has been the most difficult of my career and it has left me short of the form and fitness required for the Premier League.
Reckless West Brom striker Saido Berahino snapchats in motorway fastlane
“I have never been a player who lacked confidence or a belief in himself but that has been where I have found myself and it has hit me hard.
THE DANGERS OF TAKING MDMA
“It has left me feeling depressed and struggling for focus which has made it even more difficult to regain full fitness.
“I want to thank the club for their support throughout what has been a period of turmoil for me.”
Berahino had a chequered history while at West Brom, with the striker filmed inhaling laughing gas on social media in 2015.
The incident was a year after he was filmed performing a similar stunt in a parked car, after which the shame-faced player vowed: “I won’t be doing it again.”
And again in 2015, the African-born ace – who fled from war-torn Burundi aged ten to join his mum here – was banned from driving for a year after admitting a drink-driving charge.
Berahino landed himself in hot water again last year after posting a video on snapchat of him in his £84,000 matt grey Range Rover Sport hurtling down a motorway to Birmingham airport.
Coincidentally West Brom and Stoke face each other at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
To say Berahino could be in for a frosty reception from the Baggies faithful would be an understatement.
Jake Livermore escaped a drugs ban in 2015 after testing positive for cocaine.
The Hull midfielder turned to the drug as he tried to cope with the death of his new-born son and in an unprecedented step, an independent Football Association commission determined there was an overwhelming mitigating factor in their decision not to ban the player.
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