Bartosz Salamon Receives Eight-Month Doping Suspension

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announced an eight-month suspension for Bartosz Salamon, a defender who represents Lech Poznań and the Poland national team, after he violated anti-doping regulations. The ruling, issued by UEFA, takes effect immediately and will prevent the player from participating in competitive matches for the designated period. Lech Poznań confirmed the decision and noted the discharge will keep Salamon from playing until the conclusion of the suspension, with a potential return to action in December of the current year, subject to any further administrative steps by the club or the governing bodies. This development underscores UEFA’s ongoing enforcement of doping controls across European football and its commitment to maintaining fair play at both club and national team levels. Salamon, aged 32, is an academy product of Lech Poznań who rejoined the first team in 2021 after a lengthy spell in Italy, where he appeared for several Serie A clubs and built experience across multiple campaigns. His career in Italy included stints with Brescia, Milan, Sampdoria, Cagliari and SPAL, during which he gained valuable exposure to top-tier competition. In the most recent season prior to the ban, Salamon played in a dozen matches within Poland’s top flight, the Ekstraklasa, contributing as a versatile defender though not finding the back of the net. The Polish international has been part of the national team setup since 2013 and has earned a number of caps, adding depth and experience to Poland’s defensive options over the years. This doping sanction mirrors similar cases reported in global football recently, where governing bodies have taken swift action to uphold integrity in sport and ensure a level playing field for all athletes.