Stam banned for five months

ROME, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Dutch defender Jaap Stam has been banned for five months for use of the steroid nandrolone while Spain midfielder Josep Guardiola has been suspended for four months, the Italian league said on Thursday. Both Stam and Guardiola were also fined 50,000 euros following the Italian league's disciplinary commission meeting.

Stam tested positive for nandrolone in a sample given after the game against Atalanta in October while Guardiola, 30, first tested positive after a match against Piacenza, also in October and then again in November following a game against Lazio. The Italian anti-doping prosecutor had recommended a 10-month ban for Stam and one year for Guardiola. Stam and Guardiola, who were suspended after the positive tests, have both denied taking any illegal substance.

Guardiola said after the first positive test that he would quit football if he failed to clear his name. According to Italian news agency ANSA, at the end of the hearing, Stam said: "I came to Italy because it was a good move for my career. I felt that at 29 I could grow as a player. "For what motives would I risk my career? I have no reason."