Yordan Minev, the Bulgaria international who failed a doping test after the World Cup qualifier against Malta earlier in September, was on a painkilling injection, his club has explained.

Earlier on Thursday, FIFA announced that a Bulgarian player has been provisionally suspended for an initial period of 30 days after his “A' sample revealed the presence of prohibited substances.

FIFA did not reveal the player’s name, but the Bulgarian Football Union confirmed it was Ludogorets Razgrad full back Yordan Minev, who did not play in Bulgaria’s 2:1 away win against Malta.

Ludogorets has now explained in a statement that the reason for the doping test result was a painkiller injection administered by national team doctors.

The fact that the painkiller injection contained a banned substance was duly noted by the medics that carried out the doping tests after the game, Ludogorets says, citing the Bulgarian Football Union.

In cases where a single player is involved in doping, teams are not sanctioned and results are not affected.