LAFC’s Adama Diomande enters MLS Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health program

Major League Soccer announced on Friday that Los Angeles Football Club forward Adama Diomande has voluntarily entered the league’s Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health program. Per the parameters of the program, he will not be available for games or training while he is being evaluated in the program.

The SABH program is required of players and coaches who violate certain policies regarding drug and alcohol use and for certain other personal issues. Typically, entering this program comes on the heels of an arrest, but subsequent entries in the SABH program are mandatory. This situation appears to be different as Diomande voluntarily entered the program. The reason for it has not been announced.

Diomande, 29, is in his second season with LAFC. In 25 appearances he has eight goals and seven assists in league play this year. The Norwegian appeared to beat out fellow forward Christian Ramirez as the No. 1 central striker, with Ramirez traded to Houston in August.

Dio is a private person and has seldom spoke in public this season. We will not speculate on the reason for his decision to enter the program, and wish him the best in what he is currently dealing with.