Bangor will have their leading forward available for selection after striker Ben Arthurs served a three-month suspension following an anti-doping breach earlier this year.
Suspension linked to out-of-competition recreational use
The 28-year-old was tested after Bangor’s Irish Premiership fixture against Glentoran on 10 March. Subsequent analysis returned a positive result for cocaine, and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has confirmed Arthurs accepted responsibility for ingesting the substance in a social context.
"ingesting cocaine for recreational purposes within a social setting"
Under the UKAD framework, athletes may receive a reduced sanction if they can demonstrate that use occurred out of competition and was unrelated to enhancing sporting performance. An independent expert concluded the most likely explanation was that the drug had been taken before the matchday itself, which informed the decision to impose a three-month period of ineligibility.
Club action and return to training
Bangor placed Arthurs under suspension in April while the matter was investigated. With the provisional suspension dating from 7 April, the three-month period has now been completed and he has rejoined pre-season training.
The striker is therefore eligible to be named for Bangor’s season opener at Clandeboye Park when Lee Feeney’s side begin their 2026–27 Irish Premiership campaign against Cliftonville on 15 August.
Local context and implications
Arthurs is entering his ninth season at Bangor and is the club’s second highest all-time goalscorer. His availability will be closely watched by supporters and will be a boost to the Seasiders as they prepare for the new campaign.
Doping controls were introduced across the Irish Premiership and Women’s Premiership in 2024, a joint initiative funded by the Irish Football Association and the Northern Ireland Football League. The case underlines the continued operation of those testing procedures and the application of UKAD rules within the domestic game.
- Player: Ben Arthurs, 28
- Substance detected: Cocaine
- Sanction: Three-month suspension (provisional suspension began 7 April)
- Returned to training: Yes; eligible for 15 August match
BBC Northern Ireland and other outlets reported the case; the Irish Football Association and the Northern Ireland Football League were approached for comment but no response was published at the time of reporting.
What this means for Bangor supporters
For a club reliant on experienced goalscorers, Arthurs’ reinstatement removes uncertainty about the forward line as Bangor finalise preparations for the league restart. His presence will also prompt conversations among fans and within the club about player conduct and the boundaries between social behaviour and the responsibilities of professional athletes.
The decision to apply a reduced sanction reflects the particular circumstances determined by UKAD and the independent expert’s assessment; it does not alter the regulatory framework that governs prohibited substances in sport across the UK and Ireland.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Test date | After 10 March fixture vs Glentoran |
| Provisional suspension | 7 April |
| Length of ban | 3 months |
| Next match availability | Eligible for 15 August vs Cliftonville |
The reinstatement will be gauged on the field in the weeks ahead as Bangor seek to build momentum. The case also serves as a reminder of the testing regime now in place across domestic competitions and the obligations that fall upon players in and out of competition.
NEXO RADAR will update readers should the club, the governing bodies, or UKAD publish further comment on the matter.
