Flamengo's Brazilian international striker Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol, was suspended for two years due to attempted fraud during a doping test last year, the Brazilian Anti-Doping Sports Tribunal ruled on Monday.
The sanction, subject to appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, will come into force on April 8, the body added in a press release.
Aged 27, Gabigol, one of the biggest stars of “Fla”, was accused in December of having obstructed the carrying out of a surprise anti-doping test organized at the club's training center in Rio de Janeiro.
While his teammates had been checked at 10 a.m., he ignored the call and showed up after lunch, according to the prosecution, cited by Brazilian media.
When he arrived he was offended that a police officer had to escort him to the toilet.
Finally, he had not respected the sample collection protocol.
Trained at Santos, passed through Inter Milan
Great architect of the titles of champion of Brazil (Brasileirao) and Copa Libertadores 2019 and 2022 - the first won by the red and black since 1981 - Gabigol denied having “tried to cheat”.
At the time of the events, Brazil's most popular team was preparing for the final return leg of the Rio state tournament, which it lost to rival Fluminense (4-1).
Trained at Santos FC, Pelé's club, Gabigol, preceded by a flattering reputation after his exploits in the Copa Libertadores, experienced mixed spells at Benfica and Inter Milan where he failed to win, before returning to Brazil.
For the national team, he has scored five goals in 18 matches, although he has not played an international match since 2022, before the World Cup in Qatar.