![Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa's reaction](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/AD5D/production/_133018344_gettyimages-1590932217.jpg)
The Brazilian Soccer Confederation introduced the suspension of Flamengo and Brazil nationwide group striker Gabriel Barbosa for 2 years as a consequence of tried anti-doping fraud.
Native media reported that the 27-year-old, often known as “Gabigol”, made it tough for him to take an anti-doping check the day earlier than the match.
Barbosa, who performed 18 matches for his nation’s nationwide group, denies these accusations.
“I’ve by no means tried to impede or defraud any check, and I’m assured that the Supreme Court docket will acquit me,” he mentioned in a put up on X.
“Because the starting of my profession as a footballer, I’ve all the time adopted the principles of the sport and have by no means used banned substances. I’ve undergone dozens of checks, and all of them have all the time been detrimental.”
He added: “I’m disillusioned with the end result of the ruling, however I’ll proceed to cooperate with the sports activities authorities, and I’m assured that the Supreme Court docket will show and reaffirm my innocence.”
Barbosa, who was a part of Brazil’s gold medal-winning squad on the 2016 Rio Olympics, can attraction the choice to the Court docket of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“The aforementioned athlete was adjudicated by the Anti-Doping Court docket of Justice for Sport and, by majority vote, it was determined that there had been a violation of the anti-doping rule of tried fraud,” the Brazilian Doping Management Authority mentioned.
The 2-year ban begins from the date of the violation that occurred on April 8, 2023.
The Brazilian league season begins on April 14 and runs till December 8, which means Barbosa will miss the whole season, however must be out there for the beginning of the 2025 season.
Flamengo mentioned they have been shocked by the ruling and would assist the participant along with his attraction.
“(The membership) will help the athlete in submitting an attraction to the Court docket of Arbitration for Sport, because it acknowledges that there was no fraud, not even an try, to justify the penalty utilized,” the membership mentioned in an announcement.
Barbosa signed for Flamengo on a everlasting deal in 2020 after a profitable mortgage spell from Inter Milan, the place he performed simply 9 occasions in 4 years.
The striker scored the profitable purpose within the last of the 2022 Copa Libertadores – South America’s model of the Champions League – in a 1-0 win over fellow Brazilian Atletico Paranaense.
Barbosa made his debut for Brazil in a 2-0 pleasant win over Panama in Might 2016, scoring 5 worldwide targets.