Ex-Man City and Bury doctor Andrew Johnson 'ashamed' after admitting anti-doping charges
A doctor who worked as a member of Manchester City and Bury's medical team said he is "ashamed" after admitting to anti-doping charges against him.
Dr Andrew Johnson, who was club doctor at Bury, while also being used as a consultant at the Premier League champions’ academy, is accused of "tampering" with a Therapeutic Use Exemption application (TUE) for the steroid believed to be Testogel; a synthetic testosterone.
Dr Johnson has apologised and said the charges relate to an "isolated incident" which occurred while he was at Bury.
He added he is fully co-operating into the FA's anti-doping investigation and another investigation by the General Medical Council (GMC).
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Dr Johnson said: "I am making full admissions in relation to the charges. I am also undertaking a complete remediation process, having self-reported to the GMC.
"I am ashamed of my actions and I apologise to the player and his family, Bury FC, the FA, UK Anti-Doping, the football and sporting fraternity, the public, my employers (including Manchester City), my professional colleagues and finally my friends and family. I have let you all down.
"I wish to emphasise that I did not diagnose the player in question, nor did I prescribe the medication in question (Testogel). I was responsible only for completing the Therupeutic Use Exemption (TUE) paperwork on behalf of the player."
He added: "My administration process at Bury FC failed me in that I did not make the TUE application at the time I should have. I was then dishonest in retrospectively making an application to cover up my failings.
"I would like to make it clear, to reassure the FA and the public, that there was no wrongdoing by the player or Bury FC.
"Once again I apologise to all those involved and I will take full responsibility for my actions which occurred in an isolated period of my career."
TUEs are certificates that allow an athlete to be prescribed a banned drug but strictly for clinical reasons. It’s alleged by the Football Association that Dr Johnson in his role as Bury club doctor “tampered with Doping Control in that he provided fraudulent information to an Anti-Doping Organization, namely The FA and/or UK Anti-Doping, in respect of an application for a TUE on behalf of a Player.”
Testosterone is the steroid at the centre of the ‘fit to practice’ hearing of former Team Sky and British Cycling doctor Richard Freeman. He denies ordering the drug knowing it would be used by a cyclist for its performance enhancing properties. The drug promotes muscle mass, it helps control weight and it increases energy.
Dr Johnson is a partner at the Marple Cottage Surgery in Stockport. Its website details his role at Manchester City and also says “Having played competitive sport Dr Johnson has a major interest in Musculoskeletal medicine, sports injuries and prevention of these to Arthritis.” He has not worked at City since the charges against him were made.
In an ironic coincidence another partner at the practice is Dr Maher Al-Ausi who used to work at Team Sky.
ITV News has approached Dr Johnson while Manchester City and the FA have declined to comment.