The former France international was discovered to be using the treatment after Los Angeles clinic Drip Doctors posted a photo of him on social media in December 2016.

Nasri was playing for Spanish side Sevilla at the time, with Drip Doctors claiming they had provided him with a drip "to help keep him hydrated and in top health during his busy soccer season".

The former Arsenal and Manchester City player was said to have received 500 millilitres of hydration in the form of sterile water, containing micronutrients, at the clinic on December 26, 2016.

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules state that there is a 50ml infusion limit per six-hour period for active athletes.

Sevilla retrospectively applied for a therapeutic use exemption for Nasri in February 2017, but this was turned down by UEFA and later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

UEFA, who opened disciplinary proceedings on March 6, 2017, released a statement on the case yesterday.

"The player Samir Nasri has been found guilty for using a prohibited method in accordance with sub-section M2, par. 2 of the WADA prohibited list," it read.

"In this context, the CEDB (control, ethics and disciplinary body) has decided to suspend Samir Nasri for six months for violation of the World Anti-Doping Code and the UEFA anti-doping regulations.

"This decision was taken on February 22 and is open to appeal."

Thirty-year-old Nasri, who retired from international football in August 2014, is currently without a club having mutually terminated his contract with Turkish side Antalyaspor on January 31, 2018.