Schalke's Brazilian striker Ailton suspended for four matches

Schalke 04's Brazilian striker Ailton, seen here being ejected 29 August 2004, has been suspended for four matches and fined 15,000 euros for striking an opposition player and nearly missing a random drugs test

Schalke 04's Brazilian striker Ailton has been suspended for four matches and fined 15,000 euros for striking an opposition player and nearly missing a random drugs test, the German Football Federation's sports tribunal said.

The star striker received a red card after an altercation with two opposition players in the 45th minute of the 2-0 loss to Rostock on Saturday.

The 30-year-old, still furious after the incident, left the stadium immediately, unaware he had been chosen for a random drugs test.

However he returned to the stadium after a call on his mobile phone from Schalke general manager Andreas Muller.

The Brazilian ace, top-scorer in the Bundesliga last season, would have been deemed as having returned a positive result if he had not returned.

One of football's biggest casualties of the dope testers was Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, who was handed an eight-month ban after he missed a drugs test after team training at Old Trafford last year.

After shooting Werder Bremen to the league and cup double last season things have gone awry for Ailton who has struggled to settle at Schalke and has yet to score this term.