Peru's national soccer team captain and top striker Paolo Guerrero —who had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to have a doping suspension lifted— has been suspended for 14 months, thus missing the upcoming World Cup in Russia.
Later, it decided to reduce such suspension to
6 months, which would have allowed the sportsman to join the Inca team that will play the
2018 World Cup.
The star's defense had the task of demonstrating —with evidence— that he had never used cocaine (banned by FIFA).
In order to
seek full acquittal, Guerrero's attorneys on January 29 officially submitted an appeal to CAS —the third and last option available to the player in this whole process.
"The CAS decided to increase Mr. Guerrero's suspension from 6 to 14 months, starting today, with the period of provisional suspension of 6 months already served by Mr. Guerrero being credited against the total period of ineligibility to be served," CAS expressed.
Following the ruling, the 34-year-old is not eligible to join the squad that will participate in the mega event. The decision has been harshly criticized in the Inca country.
Note: Click
here to read the release issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday.
(END) CCR/RMB/MVB
Published: 5/14/2018