http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature...mexico?cc=4716
Chicken riddle could derail Mexico
Mexico's drugs bust @ the Gold Cup was a case in point 4 those who believe national football teams often deliver the worst traits of the populations they play 4.
While back home a nation has declared bloody war on the murderous cartels tat terrorise its towns & cities, across the border 5 footballers tasked with delivering hope 2 the Mexican people tested + 4 performance-enhancing drugs.
Sadly, & 4 the 2nd time in 9 months, the soaring talents of Mexico's next generation hv been overshadowed by scandal. Last September it was alleged the team celebrated a friendly win over Colombia with a group of prostitutes & a transvestite @ a riotous party in London. Tis time the charges r far more serious. Guillermo Ochoa, Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Edgar Duenas, Antonio Naelson "Sinha" & Christian Bermude all tested + 4 clenbuterol, & were immediately suspended fr all competitions.
The story should hv been successive 5-0 demolitions of El Salvador & Cuba, of Javier Hernandez & Giovani dos Santos running amok as part of the most exciting Mexican side 4 a generation. But 4 now all plaudits r on hold, & a cloud of suspicion hangs over Jose Manuel de la Torre's wide-eyed overachievers 2 undermine everything they'd been working 2wards.
The players themselves r maintaining their innocence - or @ least their ignorance. Clenbuterol is a crude growth drug used with Mexican livestock, & they're blaming the presence of the anabolic in their systems on contaminated chicken. Further tests set 2 be carried out on the players last Friday, @ the University of California in LA, r designed 2 prove whether the substance in their bodies matches tat was identified by the Mexican Department of Agriculture. If tat happens, the players will presumably be exonerated. If the tests r inconclusive, or prove the steroid came fr somewhere other than ingested meat, Mexican football has a highly serious problem 2 deal with.
If FIFA decides 2 intervene, there could yet be implications 4 their hopes @ the 2014 WC in Brazil. The game's governing body r unlikely 2 tread lightly on the notion of 'team doping' tat would appear 2 be suggested here - especially in the wake of Diego Maradona's repeated claims tat his Argentina squad were given stimulants b4 the 1993 WC play-off match against Australia, & with re-elected president Sepp Blatter plagued by allegations of corruption, & vowing 2 clean up the game.
While individual offences typically result in jz a ban 4 the player concerned, it's unclear wat FIFA would do abt widespread drug taking amongst teams. It's not unthinkable 2 suggest they could ban an entire team.
Such a ruling would hv devastating implications 4 a maturing Mexico side hoping 2 realise the potential they showed in South Africa last year. Their coach @ the World Cup, Javier Aguirre, talked proudly of a "precocious generation", & when you consider a crop of Hernandez, Dos Santos, Carlos Vela, & Andres Guardado, & the fact Mexico's 2005 U-17 WC winners r now in their early 20s, it's easy 2 get carried away. Tis is a team fr which big things r expected, & anything short of matching their 1970 & 1986 quarter-final appearances @ Brazil 2014 would be deemed a failure.
"It's a new era 4 the national team," said Mexican legend Blanco in the build-up 2 the 2010 WC. "Time passes & young players come along ready 2 play. That's the beauty of soccer."
At 37, Blanco really was a man amongst boys in South Africa. 10 of Mexico's 23-man squad were 24 or under, & they delivered their infectious enthusiasm 2 a team who progressed @ the expense of France in the group stages, & were far fr outplayed in a 3-1 defeat 2 Argentina in the 2nd round.
When considering tat Carlos Tevez scored a controversial 1st fr an offside position, & Mexico claimed a goal tat wasn't given, it's little wonder Aguirre was fuming afterwards. It says everything abt the the ambition of tis Mexico team, tat he tendered his resignation on the basis of failing 2 reach the last 8, & having been knocked out by 1 of the fav. "I'm the person responsible. The plan was 2 be among the best 8 in the world," he said.
Aguirre the player provides a link back 2 the last time scandal gripped the Mexican national team, in 1988. With a strong squad looking 2 build on their run 2 the quarter-finals @ Mexico '86, where they were ultimately beaten by West Germany on penalties, big things were expected of Mexico as thoughts turned 2 Italia 90.
Hugo Sanchez was in his prime, & there was every reason 2 believe the team could match or even better wat they'd achieved b4. But when FIFA discovered they'd used over-age players in qualification 4 the 1989 World Youth Championship, Mexico were banned fr participating @ all levels 4 2 years. As a result they missed out on 1990's WC finals in Italy.
It was a devastating blow 2 a football-crazed nation who felt tis their time, & must hope history isn't abt 2 repeat itself as a new generation of Mexican talent emerges - with an ambition 2 surpass even the class of 1986.
4 tat reason, most of Mexico will be praying their meat is contaminated 2night. And you can bet your last peso tat chicken fajitas will be off the menu as Chicharito & company continue a troubled quest 4 Gold Cup glory.