Flamengo’s international forward Gabriel Barbosa was suspended for two years on Monday for attempting to defraud a drug test, a Brazilian sports court announced.
Known as Gabigol, the 27-year-old Brazilian was accused of refusing to cooperate during a surprise drug test at the club’s headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.
The sentence, which can be challenged, is retroactive to April 8, last year, when the incidents happened.
He violated the schedule, disregarded the doping officials, and refused to follow directions, according to local media.
“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-doping rule of fraud had occurred,” the court said in a statement sent to AFP.
Gabigol subsequently hit back on social media, saying “I never tried to obstruct or defraud any test.”
“I am confident I will be found innocent at the highest court,” he added.
Flamengo said in a statement that it will back its player and help with his appeal “because there was no type of fraud.”
Gabigol’s teammates were tested in the morning, while he rejected a request to be there and arrived after lunch, according to the accusation.
When he arrived to be tested, he allegedly grew irritated because an officer escorted him to the bathroom.
Furthermore, he violated the sample collecting protocol, according to the charge.
Gabigol, a crucial component in Flamengo’s 2019 domestic league and Copa Libertadores wins, has repeatedly denied attempting to cheat in the test.
“The Flamengo player has confirmed that the test has been carried out and the result was negative,” his lawyer said in December, when the allegations first surfaced.
“In view of this information, there is nothing that could compromise or violate the protocol,” the lawyer added.
Gabigol spent dismal periods at Benfica in Portugal and Inter Milan in Italy after graduating from Santos’ academy before joining Flamengo in 2019.
His return to form for Flamengo earned him a call-up to the Brazil squad, where he made the final of his 18 international appearances in January 2022.
Gabigol’s contract with Flamengo expires in December.