Bangor striker Ben Arthurs has completed a three-month anti-doping ban after testing positive for a cocaine metabolite following an Irish Premiership match in March. UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) confirmed the finding, and Arthurs admitted recreational use in a social setting unconnected to his sporting performance, which allowed him a reduced ban under UKAD's rules for out-of-competition, non-performance-related use.

The 28-year-old was tested after Bangor's 4-0 defeat away to Glentoran on 10 March, and was provisionally suspended by the County Down club from 7 April while the case was investigated. Having now served his ban and returned to pre-season training, he is free to play when Bangor open their 2026-27 campaign against Cliftonville on 15 August, beginning what will be his ninth season at the club, where he ranks as its second-highest goalscorer. Doping control was introduced across the Irish Premiership and Women's Premiership in 2024, jointly funded by the Irish Football Association and Northern Ireland Football League.