10:59 | Zurich (Switzerland), May. 28.
Peruvian top striker Paolo Guerrero expressed full confidence in the Swiss Federal Court, to which he appealed as a last resort to play at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
"I believe in the Swiss justice system, and that is why I'm training here since the decision may be made in a few days. God willing, I may
join the national squad at the World Cup," he told BBC Mundo —the Spanish-language website of the BBC World Service.
The Flamengo forward said he is in Switzerland because he wants justice to be done. "Do not take my World Cup dream away from me," he underlined.
"I don't understand this punishment. In Peru, almost no one does (…). I haven't cheated (…) and everybody knows I never intended to do so," he stated.
"Doping is punished when players or athletes cheat. The fact that I didn't cheat has been acknowledged before FIFA,
WADA, and
CAS. It's a rule that has been applied to me. I'm trying to make the Court realize that coca tea is a cultural thing in my country," Peru's team captain commented.
As is known, Guerrero —involuntarily— drank a contaminated tea.
The Inca player believes the sanction is quite severe, mainly because —he says— the tea does not enhance sports performance.
"There was no reason for me to ingest a substance that might affect or damage my career,"
Paolo Guerrero insisted.
Guerrero case
The star's defense demonstrated —with evidence— that he had never used cocaine (banned by FIFA).
In order to
seek acquittal, the player's defense appealed the decision last January.
As is known, the Peruvian met with
FIFA President Gianni Infantino early last week. At the meeting, the striker unsuccessfully sought amnesty from FIFA's top official.
Lastly, Guerrero's legal team has submitted an appeal to the Swiss Federal Court to suspend the doping ban imposed on the Peruvian icon.
(END) RES/RMB/MVB
Published: 5/28/2018