Flamengo international forward Gabriel Barbosa was banned for two years on Monday for attempted fraud in a doping test, Brazil’s sports court said. The 27-year-old Brazilian, known as Gabigol, was allegedly uncooperative during an accidental doping test at the club’s headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. The sanction, which can be appealed, dates back to the incident on April 8 last year. Local media said he failed to stick to the timetable, disrespected doping officials and refused to follow instructions.

“The Sports Anti-Doping Collegiate Tribunal today tried the above-mentioned athlete and by a majority decided that he had violated anti-doping fraud rules,” the court said in a statement to AFP.

Gabigol later fired back on social media, saying, “I never attempted to obstruct or deceive any test.”

He added: “I am confident that the Supreme Court will acquit me.”

Flamengo said in a statement that it would support its player and assist him in his appeal “as there was no fraud of any kind”.

On the day of the test, Gabigol’s teammates were tested in the morning and he ignored requests to be present and took the test after lunch, the charges allege.

When he finally arrived for a checkup, he reportedly became distraught as an officer escorted him to the bathroom.

Additionally, he failed to comply with sample collection protocols, according to the charges.

A key figure in Flamengo’s 2019 domestic league and Copa Libertadores titles, Gabigol has always denied trying to cheat in tests.

“The Flamengo player has confirmed that he has been tested and the result was negative,” his lawyer said in December when the allegations first surfaced.

The lawyer added: “Given this information, there is nothing that could impair or breach the agreement.”

Gabigol came through the Santos youth academy and spent disappointing spells with Benfica in Portugal and Inter Milan in Italy before joining Flamengo in 2019.

He earned a call-up to Brazil after returning to form with Flamengo and made the last of his 18 international appearances in January 2022.

Gabigol’s contract with Flamengo expires in December.

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