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Brazil's Gabigol wins appeal in anti-doping case / Photo: © AFP/File
Brazil's Gabigol wins appeal in anti-doping case
Brazil international Gabriel Barbosa on Friday was cleared of tampering during a doping test by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which annulled a two-year ban imposed on the striker.
Known as Gabigol, the 28-year-old was suspended by the Brazilian Anti-Doping Tribunal in March 2024 for attempted fraud during a doping test. It was alleged the player was uncooperative during a surprise doping test while playing for Flamengo.
Gabigol promptly took the matter to Swiss-based CAS who decided to authorise him to play while awaiting the end of the procedure.
CAS said in its ruling that while Gabigol's "behaviour was completely uncooperative, it cannot be considered as 'tampering' under the World Anti-Doping Code" and did not constitute a rule violation.
It is alleged that on the testing day in April 2023, Gabigol's team-mates underwent testing in the morning while he ignored a request to be present and attended after lunchtime.
When he finally arrived to be tested, he reportedly became upset because an officer escorted him to the bathroom.
Furthermore, he did not respect the sample collection protocol, according to the accusation.
A key figure in Flamengo's 2019 domestic league and Copa Libertadores titles, Gabigol has consistently denied having tried to cheat in the test.
The former Inter Milan forward joined Cruzeiro at the start of the year. He has won 18 caps for Brazil but last played for his country in 2022.
A.Walczak--GL
