Brazilian footballer Romario has been hit with a preventative ban for the use of a proscribed substance. He had been using Propecia - a medication used to slow down the effects of Male Pattern Baldness - to stop his bald spot from expanding into a monk-like tonsure. However, Propecia is also used to mask the use of other prohibited substances such as steroids.

Romario has denied using anything illicit but, speaking on TV, he acknowledged that the ban could spell an end to his playing career but showed that his sense of humour is still intact - "I've stopped using Propecia, even if it means that my hair starts falling out again", he said with a resigned smile.