CAF calls for more awareness around marijuana use by footballers

Rahman was in attendance at the CAF regional workshop for doping control officers in Johannesburg this week. 

SABC Sport previously reported on some players’ continued use of marijuana, even though it remains one of the banned substances in professional sports, and Rahman says this can destroy many careers, if not curbed.

"Actually, this issue needs a huge public awareness campaign because it will destroy the athlete's life, it will affect his performance," said Rahman.

"You see, there is no top athlete in the world who will be using marijuana; no Olympic gold medal holder will be using marijuana, so it will affect the athlete's life and career.

"It's also bad for an athlete's public image, so it should be banned under all aspects."

Despite the legalisation of marijuana in many countries, the drug remains a banned substance and is considered a doping violation in professional sports. 

Rahman says, even as a recreational drug, sports personalities should steer clear.

"Marijuana is considered a recreational drug, and the reason why it's banned is because athletes are supposed to be role models, so you cannot have athletes using marijuana because it will affect the behaviour of the kids who look up to these athletes," he added.

"However, in certain countries, they have changed and soften their rules a little bit, if the marijuana use is due to medical conditions – sometimes in certain countries it's used as an anxiolytic, or in para-sports it's used as analgesic.

"So, it could be used in certain countries only, and only under medical recommendation. However, in our continent it is banned and it's considered a doping violation."

South Africa is one of the countries that have relaxed their laws on marijuana, after the Constitutional Court decriminalised the use and cultivation of dagga in private spaces back in 2018. 

Past South African junior national football teams have also been rocked by allegations of players who had been withdrawn from camps after they were suspected of cannabis use.

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