Failed drug tests jeopardize Spain's field hockey team

A second round of tests failed to clear two of Spain's field hockey players of doping allegations Wednesday.

Both women tested positive for unidentified substances after a qualifying match in April. Spain won the game against Azerbaijan, which was played in the capital city of Baku.

The results mean that the pair, who have not been identified, may not be able to compete in the upcoming Olympics Games.

The players have asked for an appeal hearing after learning of the latest test results, said the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

"These hearings, which will take place before the end of June, will determine whether or not an anti-doping rule violation has been committed and if so, what the sanction should be," the FIH said in a statement.

Rules state that if more than one team member tests positive for banned substances, the country must be disqualified from the competition.

If the FIH judicial commission finds the players guilty, they can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The FIH would then have to launch a separate disciplinary case and rule against the athletes before the team is replaced in Beijing by Azerbaijan.

The Spanish hockey federation suggests the players’ food was tampered with before the testing and maintains their innocence.