Peru captain Paolo Guerrero has been cleared to play in next month’s FIFA World Cup in Russia after a Swiss Court on Thursday reached an agreement to temporarily lift his doping suspension while it gave consideration to his appeal against a 14-month ban.
In a statement released by the Swiss Federal Tribunal, it was noted that the 34-year-old would suffer “if he saw himself prevented from participating in a competition that will be the culmination of his career as a footballer, given that he did not act intentionally or with significant negligence”.
Guerrero has now received the green light to represent and lead his country to their first World appearance for 36 years. They will face France, Denmark, and Australia in Group C at the tournament which commences on June 14.
The Peru ace tested positive for cocaine in a tea he drank after a World Cup qualifier against Argentina in October. He initially received a 12-month ban by FIFA which started in November, effectively ruling out of participating in the World Cup. The ban was then reduced to six months after he appealed thus making him eligible to play for Peru in the tournament.
However, less than two weeks after his six-month ban ended in May, the highest Tribunal in sports, Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) proceeded to increase the ban to 14 months which again ruled him out of Russia 2018.
This decision was as a result of an appeal launched by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) under the consideration that the initial six months ban was too lenient.
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