Dainius Salenga might feel a slight sense of relief as the FIBA Disciplinary Committee handed the former Zalgiris only a six month suspension instead of a possible two year ban, which would have likely ended the forward’s career.
The 33-year-old player managed to persuade the committee that the use of Methylhexaneamine, which was added to the banned substance list only last year, was not intentional. According to Salenga, he had mixed the different food supplements in a single box and wasn’t aware that the substance hadn’t been consumed before Methylhexaneamine was banned.
It has been reported, that Salenga received the food supplements as a birthday gift from a friend in the April of 2009. The player was then given a go-ahead to use the substance by Zalgiris’ medical staff.
The six month suspension started ticking from the beginning of January, which means that Salenga will be able to return already in July. The player is keeping his shape in Vilnius with the local Sakalai team.