Mehra becomes first Indian footballer to be banned for doping

Mehra had tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol, a banned drug and active chemical in cannabis, in a test conducted after an I-League match in January in Pune.

"The National Anti-Doping Agency has banned Mumbai FC midfielder Nishant Mehra for two years. Nishant was first tested positive on February 4, 2011 with AIFF imposing the provisional suspension on him from February 10, 2011 as per the guidelines of the FIFA," the AIFF said in a statement.

"The midfielder was again found positive in the second test held on February 11, 2011 with the NADA Disciplinary Panel suspending the player for two years with effect from February 10, 2011," the statement added.

Had Mehra managed to explain before the NADA panel how tetrahydrocannabinol got into his body, he might have got away with a three-month or four-month suspension. But he failed to do so