The Flamengo player was punished for attempted cheating in a doping test and said he will appeal the decision
Forward Gabriel Barbosa, the Gabigol, spoke after being suspended for two years for attempted cheating in a doping test. The process carried out by Anti-Doping Sports Court of Justice (TJD-AD) began last week and ended this Monday with five votes in favor of punishing the player and four against.
Gabigol used social media to comment on the ruling and said he had never attempted to obstruct or defraud any exam. “I trust I will be acquitted by the Supreme Court,” said the Flamengo striker, who reiterated that he will appeal the decision.
The player recalled the beginnings of his football career to underline that he had always followed the rules and had never used prohibited substances. It is worth noting that the punishment applied by the TJD-AD to the aggressor is for “fraud or attempted fraud in any part of the control process”, stipulated in Article 122 of the Brazilian Anti-Doping Code, and not for finding any prohibited substance in the test. In case of conviction under this article, the code provides for up to four years of suspension.
“I have already undergone dozens of tests, all always negative, which reinforces my commitment to my club and the Brazilian fans,” said Gabigol, who said he was “disappointed” by the outcome of the trial. “I will continue to cooperate with the sports authorities and I am confident that my innocence will be proven and reestablished by the Supreme Court,” he said.
— Gabriel Barbosa (@gabigol) March 25, 2024
Understand the case
Doping officials reported that Gabigol made it difficult for the trials to be held at Flamengo’s head coach, in Rio, on April 8, 2023. So-called “surprise doping”, as the name suggests, occurs without warning. and is carried out by the Brazilian Anti-Doping Control Authority (ABCD). The charge was made official months later, in late December 2023. Although the attacker underwent tests, reports from officers indicated there was a delay in following collection instructions.
According to officials, Gabigol did not comply with the indicated guidelines and was irritated when he discovered that one of the officers would accompany him to the bathroom for the collection, as well as taking longer than any other Flamengo athlete to undergo the exam. The fine began to be valid from the date of collection, so the suspension will last until April 2025.
In a statement, Flamengo said it welcomed the trial’s decision with surprise and said it will help Gabigol lodge his appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as it believes there was no fraud or attempt to justify the punishment .
The Court of Arbitration for Sport is a FIFA court in Switzerland. In this case the appeal has the effect of full reimbursement. As a result, Gabigol could have his sentence revoked or be sentenced to a maximum suspended sentence of four years.
Source: Terra
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