Johaug, a member of the Norwegian team which won gold in the 4x5 kilometres relay at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, tested positive for banned anabolic steroid clostebol in September but claimed to have used the product inadvertently via a sun cream she was given by her doctor.

The reigning overall International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup champion said last month that she finds it “very strange” people do not believe her reasoning for the failed test.

The Prosecution Committee of Anti-Doping Norway has agreed with Johaug, who was given a two-month provisional suspension last month, in that she did not take the substance intentionally.

They claim, however, that she should "be blamed for not having undertaken further investigation of the drug she received and used", which came in a package marked with the word "doping".

"Therese Johaug sentenced to loss of the right to participate in competitions and organised training, and the right to be an elected or appointed officer for a period of 14 - fourteen - months, with effect from the date imposed suspension 10.18.2016," Anti-Doping Norway said in a statement.

"The competitor has been [competing at] international level for many years, and is or should have been aware of the requirement for athlete's duty of care."

In response, Johaug remained defiant, telling Norwegian agency NTB in a statement that she was "pleased that the Prosecuting Committee believed in what I have said".

"But I do not understand that what has happened can give rise to 14-month ban," she added.

The Prosecution Committee has sent the request to the Norwegian Olympic Committee, whose Disciplinary Committee will now decide on a ruling.

If they opt to ban her for 14 months, Johaug will not be cleared to return to action until December next year as her two-month provisional suspension would count towards her time away from the sport.

It would mean she would only be able to restart her career two months before the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, which are due to run from February 9 to 25.

She would also miss the 2017 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti in Finland, scheduled for February 22 to March 5.

Figures including FIS President Gian-Franco Kasper have cast doubt on her version of events and suggested that, if found guilty, they may intervene to push for a longer ban.

Former World Anti-Doping Agency director general Harri Syväsalmi joined the critical voices when claiming that the Norwegian skiing team are operating in a "grey area".