Andina

Peru's Guerrero meets with FIFA President in Switzerland

Photo: EFE

Photo: EFE

10:03 | Zurich (Switzerland), May. 22.

Peru's national soccer team captain Paolo Guerrero arrived in Zurich on Tuesday to meet with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and request that he be allowed to participate at the 2018 World Cup tournament in Russia.

The striker was joined by Peruvian Soccer Federation (FPF) President Edwin Oviedo, the FPF wrote on Twitter. 


In the post, the federation thanked the excellent hospitality offered by FIFA upon their arrival.

Many fans gathered outside the FIFA headquarters to show their support to the Flamengo forward.

Paolo Guerrero's visit to FIFA seeks a way out of the 14-month ban imposed on him for an adverse analytical result in an anti-doping control after a Qualifiers match played in October against Argentina.

Guerrero case

Last December, FIFA Disciplinary Committee suspended the striker for one year after analyzing the adverse analytical result of the anti-doping test conducted on him following a Qualifiers match against Argentina in October.

Later, it decided to reduce such suspension to 6 months, which would have allowed the sportsman to join the Inca team that will participate in the 2018 World Cup.

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.

Yet, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) requested the sanction to be extended for up to two years.

On Monday last week, CAS decided to increase Guerrero's suspension from 6 to 14 months, thus leaving him out of the sporting mega-event.

Two days later, President Martin Vizcarra announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will support Guerrero. The player's defense team will appeal to the Swiss Federal Court to have the doping ban annulled.

Justice Minister Salvador Heresi on Friday affirmed that Mr. Vizcarra's support does not imply government interference in the process.

Guerrero also denied rumors that he would quit the national team in case his legal status does not change.

(END) MVF/RMB/MVB

Published: 5/22/2018