Flamengo and Brazil striker Gabriel Barbosa has been suspended for two years for attempted anti-doping fraud. The 27-year-old, known as ‘Gabigol’, allegedly made it difficult to carry out an anti-doping test the day before a game, as reported by local media.
Barbosa, who has played 18 times for his country, denies the allegations and stated, “I have never attempted to obstruct or defraud any test, and I trust that I will be cleared by the higher court.” He emphasized his commitment to following the rules of the game and never using banned substances throughout his career.
The Brazilian Doping Control Authority confirmed the suspension, citing a violation of the anti-doping rule of attempted fraud. The ban will start from the date of violation, which occurred on 8 April 2023, causing Barbosa to miss the entire Brazilian Serie A season, which runs from 14 April to 8 December. However, he should be available for the start of the 2025 campaign.
Flamengo expressed surprise at the verdict and pledged to assist Barbosa in appealing the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The club stated, “(The club) will assist the athlete in presenting an appeal to CAS, since it understands that there was no fraud, not even an attempt, to justify the punishment applied.”
Barbosa, who signed for Flamengo on a permanent deal in 2020 after a successful loan spell from Inter Milan, has been a key player for the team, scoring crucial goals including the winning goal in the 2022 Copa Libertadores final. Despite the suspension, Barbosa remains hopeful that his innocence will be proven and re-established by the higher court.
