The mother of a footballer omitted from Bermuda’s Under-20 squad for testing positive for illicit drugs but later exonerated after the same sample tested negative has called for an investigation.

Rai Sampson, the North Village defender, was replaced on the eve of the Concacaf Under-20 Championships in Costa Rica last month after an initial drugs test administered by the Bermuda Sport Anti-Doping Authority tested positive.

However, the same sample tested negative in a subsequent test administered by the government laboratory.

Sheena Paynter is now seeking answers for the conflicting test results.

“There needs to be some changes and an investigation into how his test would come back with the positive result, unless his urine sample was mixed up,” she said. “Rai missed out on an opportunity of a lifetime due to the false positive result and no one has apologised to him, and I think that is the least they could do.”

Sampson’s dilemma is not unique. Azende Furbert, his Bermuda Under-20 team-mate, has also been cleared of testing positive for drugs after further tests came back negative.

Paynter said she decided to break her silence to clear her son’s name.

“I would like the public to know that Rai is not a drug user and I want to clear his name,” she said. “He was one of the young men chosen to represent Bermuda in the tournament and was drug tested a few days before he was due to travel.

“His first test, done at the anti-doping facility, came back positive and we don’t know how due to the fact Rai is not a drug user. He then went to get an independent drug test done, which gave a negative result, to prove that the other test was incorrect.

“Following that test, the same urine used in the first test was sent to the government facility for a more detailed test, by the anti-doping facility are came back negative this time. Needless to say that the first test was a false positive.”

The Bermuda Football Association has remained silent on the issue while the BSADA are not permitted to comment on specific cases related to illicit drug testing — which is mandatory for all athletes representing Bermuda — unless it concerns performance-enhancing drugs.

Deborah Hunter, the chief executive officer of the BSADA, said: “As per the illicit policy, athletes who test positive are unable to represent Bermuda until their sample has been rescreened and the reconfirmation process at the government lab has been completed. Pending the results of the reconfirmation process they may or may not be allowed to compete.”