Peru's Guerrero not to play until 2019

Photo: AFP

10:37 | Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Aug. 23.

Peru's all-time top goalscorer Paolo Guerrero received bad news Thursday as Swiss justice revoked the precautionary measure that had cleared him to play soccer again, Brazilian website Globo Esporte informed.

The announcement came as he was getting ready to make his debut for Porto Alegre's side Internacional.

It must be noted Guerrero's legal battle has come to an end, and the striker may not be able to change the decision as he had used his last resource.

In other words, Inter's new acquisition will not play for the rest of the year and will have to wait until 2019 to do so.

Sport Club Internacional confirmed the signing of the Peruvian striker for the next three seasons on August 12, after his contract with Flamengo expired a few days earlier.

Guerrero case

Last December, FIFA Disciplinary Committee suspended the athlete 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 allow the sportsman to join the Inca team at the 2018 World Cup.

The star's defense demonstrated —with evidence— that he had never used cocaine (banned by FIFA). Instead, he had —unknowingly— drunk a contaminated tea.

In order to seek full 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 May 14, CAS decided to increase Guerrero's suspension from 6 to 14 months, thus leaving him out of the sporting mega-event.

As is known, the Peruvian met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. At the meeting, the striker unsuccessfully sought amnesty from FIFA's top official.

Then, Guerrero's legal team submitted an appeal to the Swiss Federal Court to suspend the ban imposed on the Peruvian icon.

The forward was cleared to play at the World Cup after the Swiss Federal Court —on May 31— agreed to lift the 14-month ban imposed on him by CAS.

At FIFA's major tournament, the player cemented his place as Peru's top striker with 35 goals defending the national team.

(END) INT/JSO/RMB/MVB

Published: 8/23/2018

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Peru's Guerrero not to play until 2019

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