ROME. Apr 3: Italian football was bracing Itaeli for a new drugs scandal on Friday

following report* that an AS Roma player had failed a test. report* AFP The Rome chib have admitted that one of its player* tested positive following the March 21 match against Napoli which ended In a 1-1 draw.

Argentinian striker Claudio Canntggla and German Thoma# Hassler were the two Roma players asked to give samples. Press reports named Cannf-ggla. 25, as having failed, but Roma refused to comment.

AS Roma was informed by the Italian Football Federation that one of Its player* had failed drug* teat." said a Roma spokesman. “We are now waiting for the results of secondary testing taking place over the next few days."

The result of the B teat are expected next Monday.

Italian press reports said traces of cocaine were found In Canntggla * urine sample.

In 1991. Canntggla s International teammate Diego Maradona was also suspended for cocaine abuse while playing for Napoli.

In 1990. striker Andrea Carnevale and goalkeeper Roberto Peruzzl, who has since joined Juventus, were both banned for one year after failing drug tests while playing for Roma.

Following a positive result, Canntggla would be required to appear before a disciplinary commission, and would be

banned Immediately from International competition Maradona was banned for 15 month*.

The drug* charge add* to the growing crisis st Roma Club president Giuseppe Clar raplco was arrested last month in connection with the

corruption scandal sweeping Italian political and business life.

The AS Roma president suffered a heart attack after his arrest.

VAN HASTEN DELAYED

Meanwhile, another message from Milan says: Dutch International striker Marco van Baaten has again put back his return to Italian league duty with AC Milan because of hts Iroublesomc ankle.

Chib doctors said Friday that Van Baaten who haa poet poned two other dales for playing again, will now resume against AS Roma on May 16

After an operation on hts right ankle on December 21. the 28 year old goalscorer had been hoping to face Go I hen burg In the European Champions Cup on April ?

That was changed to a league game against Juventus on April 18 and there were fear* that Van Baaten might not play again this season after he went to Antwerp for a check up this week.

Sports Injury specialist Professor Mare Marten* Mid Van Baaten could aggravate the injury If he ruahe* the return and ordered an extra month's rest

"My colleague haa done some worked hard and he does not need another operation. Van Hasten must stm ply slow hl* rehabilitation programme. He must be careful after such a long lay-off." said the Antwerp specialist

Van Baaten returned to Milan on Thursday night in a private jet belonging to club president Silvio Berlusconi who has already said that the Dutchman's absence has been felt tn the first team.

AC Milan had a 58 game unbeaten streak ended two weeks ago and went out of the Italian Cup this week. French striker Jean-Pierre Papin has refused to take any more penalties after missing a spot kick In Ihe Cup game against Roma.