Brasília: Flamengo international striker Gabriel Barbosa was suspended for two years on Monday for attempting to cheat a doping test, Brazil’s sports court said.
The 27-year-old Brazilian, known as Gabigol, reportedly failed to cooperate during a surprise doping test at the club’s headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.
The sentence, which can be appealed, is backdated to April 8 last year, when the events occurred.
He failed to keep to the schedule, disrespected doping officers and refused to obey instructions, local media reported.
“The athlete in question was tried today by the Full Court of Sports Anti-Doping and it was decided by a majority that there had been a violation of the anti-doping rule of fraud,” the court said in a statement sent to AFP.
Gabigol subsequently responded on social media: “I never tried to defend or cheat any test.”
“I am sure that I will be found not guilty in the Supreme Court,” he added.
Flamengo said in a statement that they will support their player and help with his recall “as there was no type of fraud.”
On the day of the test, Gabigol’s teammates took the test in the morning while he ignored the request to be present and showed up after lunch, according to the indictment.
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When he finally arrived for the examination, he reportedly became upset because the officer escorted him to the bathroom.
Furthermore, according to the indictment, he did not respect the sampling protocol.
Gabigol, a key figure in Flamengo’s 2019 domestic league and Copa Libertadores titles, has consistently denied attempting to cheat in the test.
“The Flamengo player confirmed that the test was carried out and the result was negative,” his lawyer said in December, when the allegations first emerged.
“Given this information, there is nothing that could compromise or violate protocol,” the lawyer added.
Gabigol had disappointing spells at Portugal’s Benfica as well as Italy’s Inter Milan as he came through Santos’ academy before joining Flamengo in 2019.
His return to form for Flamengo earned him a call-up to the Brazil squad and he made the last of his 18 international appearances in January 2022.
Gabigol’s contract with Flamengo expires in December.
