MADRID -- The two members of the Spanish women's hockey team who tested positive for a banned substance have failed the B-sample tests as well, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) said on Wednesday.
Spain's place at the Beijing Olympics has been in jeopardy since the tests took place at a Olympic qualifying tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan, in April.
"The FIH informed the athletes that the B-samples from both players have shown the same adverse analytical findings as the A-samples," a statement said on the FIH Web site (www.fihockey.org).
"In accordance with the provisions in the FIH Anti-doping policy... both players requested a hearing before the FIH Judicial Commission.
"These hearings, which will take place before the end of June 2008, will determine whether or not an anti-doping rule violation has been committed and, if so, what the sanction should be."
The two players have not been named. According to FIH rules, if more than one member of a team tests positive, the whole team can be thrown out of the tournament.
If Spain were disqualified, Azerbaijan would take their place in Beijing.
The Spanish hockey authorities have said there is evidence that the positives were part of a deliberate attempt to sabotage the team's chances during the Olympic qualifying tournament.
Players and coaching staff complained about the organisation of the event on their return from Azerbaijan.
They said four members of the team had collapsed in the hotel prior to their match against Kenya having inhaled gas that had escaped from the air conditioning system.
They also complained that players were unable to sleep after being bombarded by telephone calls in their hotel rooms. Others felt ill after drinking water given to them by organisers during matches.
"We believe the positives were for a powerful stimulant, an amphetamine or something like that," Spanish Hockey Federation (RFEH) president Marti Colomer told sports daily AS last month. "We are absolutely positive that the two girls had nothing to do with this. I would bet my life on it."
Spain qualified for the Olympics after beating hosts Azerbaijan 3-2 in the final.
