Barbosa’s club Flamengo declared in a statement that it will support its player and help him with his appeal “because there was no fraud.”
The punishment, which can be challenged, is retroactive to April 8, last year, when the incidents happened.
He did not stick to the schedule, disregarded the doping officers, 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,” according to a statement emailed to AFP by the court.
Gabigol then responded on social media, claiming, “I never tried to obstruct or defraud any test.”
“I am confident I will be found innocent at the highest court,” he said later.
Flamengo said in a statement that it will support its player and assist him with his appeal “because there was no fraud.”
According to the accusation, Gabigol’s teammates were tested in the morning while he ignored a request to be present and showed up after midday.
When he arrived for his test, he apparently grew irritated when a cop accompanied him to the lavatory.
Furthermore, he allegedly violated the sample collection protocol.
Gabigol, a crucial component in Flamengo’s 2019 domestic league and Copa Libertadores victories, has always denied any attempt to cheat in the test.
“The Flamengo player has confirmed that the test was conducted and the results were negative,” his lawyer stated in December, when the allegations first appeared.
“In view of this information, there is nothing that could compromise or violate the protocol,” the lawyer stated.
After coming up through Santos’ academy, Gabigol had dismal stints with Inter Milan in Italy and Benfica in Portugal before joining Flamengo in 2019.
January 2022 marked the final of his 18 international appearances, as his comeback to form with Flamengo earned him calls up to the Brazil side.
December marks the end of Gabigol’s Flamengo contract.
