Para ice hockey player Martin Novak of the Czech Republic has been banned for six months for doping ©IPC

Para ice hockey player Martin Novak of the Czech Republic has been banned for six months for doping by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Novak tested positive for banned substance indapamide, a diuretic and masking agent, at the 2016 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships B-Pool in Tomakomai in Japan in December - an event won by the Czech Republic.

He gave the sample on the day of the final - December 3 - where the Czech team beat Japan 6-0.

The Czech athlete was provisionally suspended on January 20 and will be unable to return to competition until after July 19 of this year.

The IPC have confirmed Novak's failed drugs test will have no impact on the Czech Republic's victory in Tomakomai.

"This substance is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2016 Prohibited List under the category S5," the IPC said in a statement.

"Diuretics and Masking Agents and is prohibited at all times, both in and out of competition.

Martin Novak was a member of the Czech Republic team which won the 2016 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships B-Pool event in December ©Getty Images
Martin Novak was a member of the Czech Republic team which won the 2016 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships B-Pool event in December ©Getty Images

"All Novak’s results obtained from the date of the test and onwards will be disqualified including forfeiture of any medals, points, records and prizes. 

"There is no impact on the team result."

The European nation put in an impressive display in the final against the host nation at the Hakucho Oji Ice Arena as Michael Geier bagged five of the goals in an emphatic win.

Geier also had a hand in the opening goal as he set up Zdenek Habl.

Their success meant they secured a spot at the the qualification tournament for the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang, along with beaten finalists Japan and bronze medallists Slovakia.