TORONTO - Anthony Galea, who is accused of selling an unapproved drug, has stepped down as the team doctor of the CFL's Toronto Argonauts.
The CFL club said Thursday that Galea voluntarily resigned last month.
"Dr. Galea resigned as our team doctor in early February 2010 and we accepted his resignation," the team said in a statement. "He did not offer a reason for his resignation."
Galea had been the Argos team doctor since 2003.
Galea is facing four charges in Canada related to Actovegin, a drug that's extracted from calf's blood and used for healing. Galea's lawyer, Brian Greenspan, has said the charges are without merit.
Galea's assistant also has been charged in the U.S. for having HGH and another drug while crossing the Canadian-American border in September.
New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez and other high profile baseball players have been contacted by American federal investigators regarding Galea. Rodriguez said Monday he was "aware" of the investigation and plans to co-operate with the government. He declined comment when asked if he has been treated by Galea.
Centre-fielder Carlos Beltran and shortstop Jose Reyes talked to U.S. investigators last week. Beltran said Galea worked with team doctors when he treated him.
Galea is known for using a blood-spinning technique -- platelet-rich plasma therapy -- designed to speed injury recovery. Among the athletes he has treated are golfer Tiger Woods, swimmer Dara Torres and several NFL players.
Galea was arrested Oct. 15 after a search warrant was executed at the Institute of Sports Medicine Health and Wellness Centre in Toronto. He is charged with selling Actovegin, conspiracy to import an unapproved drug, conspiracy to export a drug and smuggling goods into Canada.
