Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero will make it to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as he got his suspension reduced to 6 months, it was reported on Wednesday.
"The FIFA Appeal Committee after taking into account all the circumstances of the case, in particular the degree of fault of the player, considered a six-month period of ineligibility to be a proportionate sanction," reads a FIFA media release.
The suspension period starts on November 3, 2017, and ends on May 3 next year, according to his lawyer Pedro Fida.
The Peruvian national soccer team captain exercised his defense before FIFA —supported by his lawyers and a biochemist— during an audience held on November 30 in Zurich.
The star's defense had the task of demonstrating —with evidence— that he had never used cocaine or coca tea (both banned by FIFA) but
drank a contaminated tea.
At the time, FIFA ruled the player had tested positive for metabolite benzoylecgonine —following a
match against Argentina last October— a substance included in WADA's 2017 Prohibited List under the class "S6. Stimulants."
The ban also comprises any type of match including national, international, friendly, and official ones.
The recent decision has spread joy among Peruvian soccer fans.
(END) JSO/RMB/MVB
Published: 12/20/2017