European football’s governing body, UEFA has extended the doping ban handed out to French forward Samir Nasri from 6 to 18 months.

The increase in ban was conveyed in a UEFA statement after the body’s ethics and disciplinary inspector argued that the six-month ban was insufficient and that it should be extended to 18 months.

This judgement is in reply to the appeal to the original sanction imposed on the 31-year-old by UEFA.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City star was banned after he using a drip treatment from a Los Angeles clinic.

He took the drip treatment in 2016 while on holiday in 2016, but it was against World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules thereby leading to a Spanish Anti-Doping investigation as the 41-cap French international was on-loan at Sevilla from Manchester City during that period.

According to WADA rules, active athletes have a 50 millilitre infusion limit per six-hour period but Nasri allegedly received 500 millilitres of hydration in the form of sterile water containing micronutrient components.

In February 2017, UEFA denied Sevilla’s request for a retroactive therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for Nasri, and its decision was later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

His ban has been backdated to July 1, 2017, despite the fact that he made eight appearances for Turkish side Antalyaspor after the stipulated date.

Nasri joined Antalyaspor from Premier League champions in August 2017.

The French forward is now a free agent and can return to training with any club as from November.