Angers forward Ibrahima Niane banned for 2 years after testing positive for Ecstasy and MDMA

Ibrahima Niane , the 26-year-old Senegalese striker currently with Angers SCO , has been suspended from professional football for two years after testing positive for ecstasy and MDMA . The French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) announced the ban, effective from March 31, 2025, and lasting until March 31, 2027. The ban prohibits Niane from participating in any professional competitions, training sessions, camps, and friendly matches. According to a report by L’Équipe, Niane was unable to explain the presence of these substances in his system during the investigation, leading to the strict sanction.

Doping suspension hits at contract end

Niane's contract with Angers was due to expire on June 30, 2025, with no extension offered by the club. Last season, he made 30 appearances during Angers’ promotion campaign from Ligue 2 but did not score any league goals. In the current season, Niane played 27 matches and scored three goals, helping Angers maintain their place in Ligue 1 . However, he had already been excluded from the first-team squad after injuring a teammate during a training-ground clash in early April 2025. Angers subsequently released him alongside six other first-team players, as reported by The Sun and other outlets.

A Promising career now in doubt

Niane’s career began with high promise. He honed his skills at Senegal’s Generation Foot Academy, finishing as the top scorer in the Senegalese Ligue 1 with 19 goals in 18 matches during the 2017 season, leading his club to a national championship. At 18, he signed with FC Metz in France, helping the club gain promotion to Ligue 1 after a brief relegation. The 2020-2021 season showed strong potential with six goals in six matches and a Player of the Month award in September. He was also close to being called up to the Senegal national team under coach Aliou Cissé. However, a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee derailed his progress, and he has managed no more than three goals per season since returning to play.

Official statements and club records

Angers SCO stated: "Initially signed on loan from Metz on January 31, 2023, Ibrahima Niane joined Angers SCO on a permanent contract the following summer. The Senegalese striker scored six goals and supplied three assists in 76 games in all competitions." Former Senegal Under-20 international Niane played a key role in Metz’s promotion before his transfer to Angers.

The AFLD emphasized that Niane "may not participate in any form of professional competition," including all training and friendly matches. Meanwhile, Niane has returned to Senegal to consider his next steps in football amid this uncertain period.