The ruler of Dubai has ordered a decree to criminalize the use of steroids on race horses following a doping scandal involving his horses in England.

Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum says he has "directed that a decree be issued making, with immediate effect, the import, sale, purchase or use of anabolic steroids in horse sports a criminal offence under the UAE penal laws."

Last month, former Godolphin trainer Mahmood al-Zarooni was banned for eight years for doping race horses at al Maktoum's stables in Newmarket.