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Brazil's Gabigol handed two-year ban for anti-doping 'fraud'
Flamengo's international forward GabrielBarbosa was suspended for two years on Monday for attempted fraud during adoping test, a Brazilian sports court said.
Known as Gabigol, the 27-year-old Brazilian was alleged to have beenuncooperative during a surprise doping test at club headquarters in Rio deJaneiro.
The punishment, which can be appealed, is backdated to April 8 last year,when the events occurred.
He failed to comply with the schedule, disrespected the doping officers andrefused to obey instructions, local media said.
"The aforementioned athlete was tried today by the Full Court of Sports Anti-Doping and, by majority, it was decided that a violation of the anti-dopingrule of fraud had occurred," the court said in a statement sent to AFP.
Gabigol subsequently hit back on social media, saying "I never tried toobstruct or defraud any test."
"I am confident I will be found innocent at the highest court," he added.
Flamengo said in a statement it would support its player and assist with hisappeal "because there was no type of fraud".
On the testing day, Gabigol's teammates underwent testing in the morningwhile he ignored a request to be present and attended after lunchtime,according to the accusation.
When he finally arrived to be tested, he reportedly became upset because anofficer escorted him to the bathroom.
Furthermore, he did not respect the sample collection protocol, according tothe accusation.
A key figure in Flamengo's 2019 domestic league and Copa Libertadores titles,Gabigol has consistently denied having tried to cheat in the test.
"The Flamengo player has confirmed that the test has been carried out and theresult was negative," his lawyer said in December, when the allegations firstsurfaced.
"In view of this information, there is nothing that could compromise orviolate the protocol," the lawyer added.
Gabigol had disappointing spells at Portugal's Benfica as well as at InterMilan in Italy having come through Santos' academy, before joining Flamengoin 2019.
His return to form for Flamengo earned him call-ups to the Brazil squad andhe made the last of his 18 international appearances in January 2022, reports BSS.
Gabigol's contract with Flamengo expires in December.