President Martin Vizcarra on Wednesday announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will support Paolo Guerrero's defense team in proceedings before the Swiss Federal Court to have the player's 14-month doping ban annulled.
Speaking at a press conference at Lima's Government Palace, Vizcarra claimed the striker gave him details of the abovementioned sanction during the
meeting they held on Tuesday.
"The
14-month sanction is unfair since Guerrero did not intend to dope," the Head of State underlined.
"They (Guerrero and his defense team) are initiating proceedings to annul this arbitral award that imposes a 14-month sanction on him. To that end, they
will appeal to the Swiss Federal Court, saying the award did not provide due process guarantees and requesting its annulment," the
statesman pointed out.
In this sense, he said the strategy will be backed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through Peruvian Ambassador to Switzerland Enrique Chavez.
"We'll back their actions. Plus, the Embassy and the Ministry will be at Paolo Guerrero and his lawyers' service, so that the process is accompanied by the State, through its Ambassador, since that is one of its responsibilities," he expressed.
The Peruvian leader underlined that assisting and supporting Peruvians abroad is a State obligation, all the more so "if the claim is justified."
"We talk to Foreign Affairs Minister
Nestor Popolizio to keep track of the case and provide assistance to Paolo Guerrero in order to help him enforce his rights in the Swiss Confederation," he affirmed.
According to CAS, Guerrero did not take social drugs or substances to enhance his sporting performance.
However, the said court ruled a 14-month period of ineligibility on the player, claiming he "bore some degree of fault or negligence (although not significant) in committing the anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) and therefore that a proportionate period of ineligibility had to be imposed."
The decision was harshly criticized in the Inca country.
The Argentine-born coach also believes the soccer community must not let this happen again as it may occur with other players.
(END) JCC/CCR/RMB/MVB
Published: 5/16/2018