Gabigol, from Flamengo, is suspended for two years for trying to cheat an anti-doping test | Flamengo

Gabigol, Flamengo strikerTHIAGO RIBEIRO/AGIF – PHOTOGRAPHY AGENCY/ESTADÃO

Published 03/25/2024 16:45

Rio – Striker Gabigol, from Flamengo, was suspended for two years for trying to cheat on a drug test. The decision was taken by the Anti-Doping Sports Court in a trial, held online, which began last week and concluded this Monday (25), in a session lasting just over two hours. The player can still appeal the decision.

Gabigol’s punishment came into effect on April 8, 2023, the date of the surprise exam at Ninho do Urubu, which the attacker allegedly tried to defraud. Therefore, he is banned from acting until April 2025. In a statement, Flamengo said it received the decision with surprise and stated that it will assist the athlete in presenting an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

“The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, taking note of the result of the trial of its athlete Gabriel Barbosa, in the sense of applying a 2-year suspension sentence, until April 2025, by 5 votes for conviction and 4 for acquittal, comes public say that he received the aforementioned decision with surprise and that he will assist the athlete in presenting an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), since he understands that there was no type of fraud, not even an attempt, to justify the punishment applied”, he said the club.

The decision divided the jury and had the A tight score of 5 votes to 4 for the red-black idol to be punished. Gabigol was included in article 122 of the Brazilian Anti-Doping Code, which speaks of “fraud or attempted fraud of any part of the control process” and provides for a suspension of up to four years in case of conviction.

In the player’s defense, sent to the Court on January 28th, Flamengo attached images from security cameras at Ninho do Urubu to reinforce the athlete’s version, which denies any attempt to cheat the anti-doping test. One of the points alleged by lawyers is that the attacker underwent a blood test, which is considered more effective.

As in the first session, held on the 20th, Gabigol was present at this afternoon’s trial. The player’s testimony took place during the first meeting, like seven other witnesses who were interviewed.

The person responsible for Gabigol’s defense was lawyer Bichara Neto, the same one who worked in the case of Paolo Guerrero, suspended for doping in the FIFA courts in 2017. Rodrigo Dunshee, vice-president of Flamengo, also attended the session.

Understand the case

Gabigol is accused of hindering the carrying out of a surprise drug test on April 8, 2023, in Ninho do Urubu. According to agents, he appeared upset since the anti-doping team arrived at the scene, around 8:40 am.

Those responsible for the examination claim that Gabigol did not address them before Flamengo training and also ignored them after the activity, going straight to lunch. They also claim that they were treated with disrespect by number 10, who became angry at several times.

With the exception of Gabigol, the other Flamengo athletes took the exam before training at 10 am, which is recommended. Furthermore, the attacker committed other irregularities, such as going to the bathroom during the exam without the presence of one of the inspectorsin addition to having delivered the pot without the lid.