23 October 2023 , 12:18
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Argentina ace Papu Gomez has confirmed he will be getting his lawyers involved after being handed a two-year ban from football for taking a prohibited substance.
The 35-year-old tested positive while playing for Sevilla in October 2022 following an unplanned visit from the anti-doping agency to the club's training ground. This was before Gomez featured for Argentina at the World Cup, starting two matches against Saudi Arabia and then Australia.
After being released by Sevilla last month, Gomez signed for Serie A side Monza. But just three weeks since his move, the club announced he had failed an anti-doping test and had been handed a two-year ban. In a statement, the ex-Atalanta forward admitted he had taken Terbutaline but would appeal the decision.
Gomez said: "Following recent stories written about my possible violation of the anti-doping rules, I wish to inform the media and public opinion of the following: "1) I confirm that I received word from the Spanish anti-doping commission that my licence is suspended for a period of two years.
"2) I always not just rigorously respected all the rules, but also stood up as a strong defender of clean sport and sporting behaviour, condemning categorically any forms of doping. 3) I never, nor do I intend to, relied on a banned practice.
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"4) The presumed violation originates from the presence of Terbutaline in my system, which I accidentally ingested with a spoonful of cough syrup for my son, to alleviate his cough. It is important to specify that Terbutaline is allowed for professional athletes and in no way does it improve performance in football.
Papu Gomez has played just two matches for Monza (Getty Images)"5) Without getting into the situation, I have asked my lawyers to look into the suggestion the disciplinary case was not treated according to the norms. 6) I finally wish to thank all those who showed me affection and support during these difficult moments of my professional life."
Gomez started just five matches for Sevilla after winning the World Cup with Argentina last year and had less than a year left on his deal before the Europa League champions chose to terminate his contract. He had made two appearances for Monza before testing positive for the drug.
"AC Monza announces that it has today received a notification from FIFA, through the FIGC, of the first sentence of the Spanish Anti-Doping Commission, issued against the footballer Alejandro Dario Gomez," the Italian side confirmed in a statement on Friday.
"The sentence provides for a two-year disqualification from sporting activities. The presence of Terbutaline was found in the footballer’s biological samples. It is a drug taken to calm a bronchospasm issue, in October 2022, when the footballer was registered for Sevilla FC. Positivity is the result of an involuntary assumption. AC Monza reserves the right to evaluate the next procedural steps."