The South Korean forward Kang Soo-il has come up with a novel excuse for failing a drugs test, by blaming it upon a moustache-growing cream.

The K-League said the Jeju United player had tested positive for the anabolic steroid methyltestosterone after a sample was taken by the Korea Anti-Doping Agency, Yonhap News reported.

Uncapped Kang, 27, was in Kuala Lumpur with the South Korea national team, who beat the United Arab Emirates 3-0 in a friendly, before they head for a World Cup qualifier against Myanmar next week.

The Korean Football Association said Kang would return home on Friday.

Yonhap said the player would be subjected to a doping hearing if his B sample also tested positive. First-time offenders face a 15-game ban from the K-League.

Kang has scored five goals for Jeju this season after moving from Pohang Steelers last term and was set to make his international debut against the UAE.