Choi Kyung-chul has been given a 72-game ban ©Samsung Lions

South Korea’s Choi Kyung-chul has been handed a 72-game ban by the Korea Baseball Organisation (KBO) after a positive drug test.

The catcher plays for the Samsung Lions team, the eight-time winners of the Korean Series.

The Korea Anti-Doping Agency (KADA) stated that Choi tested positive for the substance stanozolol on April 7.

Stanozolol is a banned anabolic steroid, with the substance aiding muscle growth and the production of red blood cells.

According to Yonhap, Choi admitted to taking the substance and was removed from the playing roster of the Lions’ team.

He will face a 72-game ban, backdated to the day when the test was taken.

The sanction effectively rules Choi out of playing in half of a KBO league season.

The Samsung Lions are eight-time Korean champions ©Getty Images
The Samsung Lions are eight-time Korean champions ©Getty Images

Choi has played in the KBO League for 11 seasons to date.

The Samsung Lions team have reportedly been handed a 10 million won (£6,869/$8,850/€8,101) fine by the KBO after the positive test.

It is claimed this is due to their lack of oversight.