Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Arijan Ademi has been given a four-year ban from football after failing a drugs test, the club have announced.
The 24-year-old tested positive for a banned substance following the 2-1 Champions League victory over Arsenal in September and UEFA promptly launched an investigation.
Following a hearing in Switzerland, European football's governing body has issued a lengthy suspension to the Macedonia international, who insists he remains innocent of any offence.
"I find it hard to even describe in words how I feel right now," he said via the club's official website. "I'm not guilty, I know I did not do any wrong, and I got such a drastic punishment. I feel terrible.
"I would like to thank everyone who has called me in recent days and sent messages, but it's really hard for me to talk about it, and I pray for understanding."
Dinamo added via the statement: "As a club, we are shocked and extremely, unpleasantly surprised by such a turn of events, and we will do everything we can in these difficult times with Arijan."
