Brazilian footballer Gabigol ‘is hit with a TWO-YEAR suspension for alleged anti-doping testing fraud’ – with the Flamengo striker ‘set to be banned from playing until 2025’

Flamengo striker Gabigol has been suspended for two years for an alleged anti-doping test violation and may not return until 2025, according to reports.

The forward, whose real name is Gabriel Barbosa, was allegedly tried by the Anti-Doping Sports Court in Brazil on Monday and banned at the conclusion of the case.

Ge.globo claim his punishment came into effect on April 8, 2023, the date his sample was collected at Flamengo’s training ground, and will run until April 2025. 

Gabigol, 27, is now likely to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

He was allegedly accused of violating Article 122 of the Brazilian Anti-Doping Code, which relates to ‘fraud or attempted fraud in any part of the control process’. 

Gabigol, who plays for Flamengo, is now set to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport

It is alleged that Gabigol obstructed officials before the exam, with a report in the complaint stating that he delayed providing the sample and failed to comply with instructions. According to examiners, the player also treated them with disrespect.

Gabigol is said to have failed to comply with the examination team ahead of training and then ignored them after lunch. Later, he reportedly took the collection vessel without informing anyone before being accompanied to the bathroom by an officer.

Reports say he returned the vessel containing the urine sample open. 

According to reports, even if Gabigol had tested negative, his attitude may still have constituted ‘fraud or attempted fraud’, as stated in the anti-doping rulebook.

With the exception of Gabigol, who was punished at the trial after a five to four majority vote, Flamengo’s squad took their examinations before training on April 8.

A statement from Flamengo, provided to ge.globo, said: ‘Flamengo received the aforementioned decision with surprise and will assist the athlete in presenting an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as he understands that there was no type of fraud, not even an attempt, to justify the punishment applied.’

The forward was accused of ignoring examiners and failing to comply ahead of a urine test

His punishment is said to have come into effect last April and would therefore run until 2025

The rigorous anti-doping code the player is said to have fallen foul of provides for a suspension of up to four years in case of conviction.

Testimony from biochemist LC Cameron was allegedly used in Gabigol’s defence and established that, in his view, there was no irregularity in the collection results. He was questioned by Gabigol’s lawyers, the court prosecutor and the auditors.

The complaint was lodged in late December and the defence made their case in January, including images taken from Flamengo’s training ground security cameras.

Gabigol gave testimony via video link during the first session of the trial on March 20, before the court opted to continue deliberations on Monday. One key defence point highlighted the fact he took a blood test, which is considered more effective.

He was represented by Bichara Neto’s team, a lawyer who defended Paolo Guerrero in a doping case before FIFA’s courts in 2017. Flamengo’s general and legal vice-president, Rodrigo Dunshee, was also present in defence of the forward.