Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, one of five Mexican players suspended for a doping violation.
Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa poses before an international friendly soccer match at Azteca stadium in Mexico City May 16, 2010. REUTERS/Eliana Aponte

Mexico's squad at the Concacaf Gold Cup in the United States suffered a shock on Thursday when five of its players tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol, the general secretary of the Mexican Football Federation (Femexfut) Decio de Maria said.

The players who had been suspended were goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, defenders Francisco Rodriguez and Edgar Duenas and midfielders Antonio Naelson 'Sinha' and Christian Bermudez. De Maria added that Femexfut would determine any further sanctions, which could include bans of up to two years, Reuters reported.

Last night we received the anti-doping analysis of 14 players of the 'Tri' (national team) that were done on May 21 and five players showed positive, De Maria told a news conference in Mexico City.

The substance for which they were positive is Clenbuterol. The players will be withdrawn from (coach) Jose Manuel de la Torre's team, he said.

De Maria added that Mexico would ask the Concacaf if they could call up replacements.

Chuck Blazer, Concacaf general secretary, said a meeting of the confederation's national teams committee, will be organized on Friday to consider the situation, including possibly allowing Mexico to replace the five players.

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