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| Credit: teamtalk.com |
Former Inter Milan forward Gabriel Barbosa has been suspended for two years by a Brazilian Sports Court for attempted anti doping fraud.
Popularly known as 'Gabigol', he was accused of making a difficulty of carrying out anti-doping test a day before Flamengo's game in the Rio de Janeiro state league.
"The aforementioned athlete was judged today by the Anti-Doping Sports Court of Justice (TJD-AD) and, by a majority vote, it was decided that a violation of the anti-doping rule of attempted fraud had occured", said by the Brazilian Doping Control Authority.
The anti-doping body also stated that the two year suspension would count from the date of the occurrence, April 8, 2023.
Credit: onefootball.com
The Flamengo striker, who was part of Brazil's Olympic gold medal winning team at Rio 2016, can appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
A statement from Flamengo explained their surprise at the decision and would aid their player with the appeal.
"(The club) will assist the athlete in presenting an appeal to CAS, since it understands that there was no fraud, not even an attempt, to justify the punishment applied," the Brazilian Serie A club revealed via a statement.
The 27-year-old, who signed for Flamengo in 2020 from Inter Milan after completing a one-year loan, made his sentiments known on social media, saying:
"I have never attempted to obstruct or defraud any test, and I trust that I will be cleared by the higher court.
"Since the beginning of my career as a footballer, I have always followed the rules of the game and never used banned substances. I have been subjected to dozens of tests, all of which have always been negative.
"I am disappointed with the outcome of the judgement, but I will continue cooperating with the sporting authorities and trust that my innocence will be proven and re-established by the higher court,"
he said in a post on X.
Barbosa made his debut for the Seleçao in a 2-0 friendly win over Panama in May 2016 and has made 18 appearances for his country while finding the back of the net on five occasions.