Five athletes have been handed provisional bans by their respective national associations for doping violations.

Sprinter Steve Camilleri was charged by the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) with missing an out-of-competition doping test earlier this year.

The track and field athlete faced a hearing in front of the body’s disciplinary panel who found him guilty of failing to turn up for a doping test and notified the Malta Amateur Athletics Association to issue a temporary suspension.

Camilleri is contesting the Disciplinary Commission’s decision and NADO is in the process of appointing an Appeals Board to hear the case in the coming weeks.

Basketball player Eman Xuereb, who is on the books of Siġġiewi, tested positive for a prohibited substance following a competitive match last season.

The NADO Disciplinary Commission ruled against Xuereb who has lodged an appeal.

Clayton Darmanin and Bjorn Camilleri were also charged by NADO with making use of a prohibited substance after testing positive following the March 31 regatta at the Grand Harbour. The two rowers are expected to appear before the Disciplinary Commission in the coming weeks.

The other doping case being investigated by NADO involves Qormi’s futsal player Basil Onuta Emeka.

Meanwhile, the Malta FA announced earlier this month that two players, one of Melita and the other of St George’s, had failed doping tests after the Division One match between the two clubs on April 7.