Adoping controversy surrounding the Spanish women’s hockey team before the Olympics hit the team so badly that they discussed not going to Beijing, coach Pablo Usoz said on Sunday.

Two members of the team had tested positive for banned substances at a qualifying event in Azerbaijan in April and Spain qualified ahead of Azerbaijan after beating them 3-2 in the final. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) had allowed the team to play after finding one player guilty of doping without significant fault or violation and the other was exonerated of any offence.

And the cloud over them was finally lifted this month when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed Azerbaijan’s appeal to disqualify Spain and take their place at the Games. Spain were beaten 3-0 by hosts China in their opening pool A game on Sunday and Usoz said the women were still reeling from the controversy.

“The drug issue from Azerbaijan in the qualifying tournament was quite complicated and as you know for two months our team was quite perturbed by this issue,” Usoz said on Sunday. “There were even discussions in the team whether it was wise for us to come to the Beijing Olympic Games or not,” Usoz said. “I personally had a role in calming down the emotions of the team members.” AP