UEFA confirms steroid positive test in Arijan Ademi case

NYON, Switzerland --

UEFA has confirmed that Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Arijan Ademi was banned after testing positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.

UEFA banned the 24-year-old Ademi for four years last week but did not identify the substance in his urine sample given after a Champions League match against Arsenal.

Stanozolol is best known as the steroid Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was caught using at the 1988 Olympics.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger later criticized UEFA's anti-doping program and the rule which allowed Dinamo's 2-1 win to stand because only one player tested positive.

UEFA defended its anti-doping program on its website Thursday, and said Ademi's four-year ban followed World Anti-Doping Agency guidance for ''a first serious doping offence.''

The Macedonia international has said he will appeal.