(CNN) -- The governing body of Mexican football has banned five players from its national team after they failed drugs tests taken in late May before the start of an international tournament.

Decio de Maria, Secretary General of the Mexican Federation of Football, announced the suspensions of national team members Guillermo Ochoa, Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Edgar Duenas, Antonio Naelson "Sinha" and Christian Bermudez at a Thursday news conference.

De Maria blamed the failed drug tests on bad meat eaten by the players.

The five tested positive for clenbuterol, a banned anabolic agent that can be found in meats.

Mexican football officials contend the five players ingested the substance accidentally.

The suspensions could be devastating to Mexico's chances at the Gold Cup, an international tournament currently under way that includes nations from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Mexico is the tournament's returning champion.

Samples of red meat have been collected from a restaurant the players had frequented and will be tested, according to the federation.

The federation stated that a final decision on the players' status is pending the results of the tests.

COMMENT: five football palyers of the Mexico team fail the drug test I think that its a shame that peole like them fall like that I think that it is because they have all the money that they need and they have try all except all and they try testing the drug an fall in the vicious but thats how we are in this times and we could do something but we dont do it.