Andina

Peru: Guerrero's lawyer confident about athlete's acquittal

Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

19:55 | Lima, Jan. 5.

Paolo Guerrero's lawyer Pedro Fida is confident the sanction imposed by FIFA on Peru's top striker will be completely lifted at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

If so, the forward's party will also request a financial and sports-related compensation from soccer's governing body.

As is known, FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to suspend Guerrero for one year after analyzing the adverse analytical result of the anti-doping test conducted on him following a Qualifiers match against Argentina on October 5.

Later, it decided to reduce such suspension to six months —a decision which will allow Peru's top forward to play the 2018 World Cup.

Fida added his party had not been able to reach CAS before, as FIFA has not yet published the arguments leading to such verdict.

"[…] Our stance of requesting Paolo's acquittal remains in place because we believe he's innocent. The sanction reduction is already a victory, but we believe it can be [fully] lifted […]," the Brazilian lawyer told Peru's Ovacion radio station.

Although Guerrero and his lawyers will appeal to CAS —with the purpose of clearing his name and seeking acquittal— he might be at risk of having the penalty increased.

Such situation may occur, if the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) takes part in this process.

"I think it's highly unlikely that WADA may file an appeal because our position is well-founded and solid," Fida said.

"Nor do I believe that CAS might increase the suspension. We have maintained our strategy from the beginning, and that's very important," he concluded.

(END) JSO/FGM/MVB

Published: 1/5/2018