Flamengo and Brazil striker Gabriel Barbosa, also known as ‘Gabigol’, has been suspended for two years for attempted anti-doping fraud. The 27-year-old has scored an impressive 143 goals in 261 games for Flamengo, but now faces a ban that will see him miss the entire Brazilian Serie A season.
Local media reports suggest that Barbosa made it difficult to carry out an anti-doping test the day before a game, leading to the suspension. However, the player denies the allegations and has expressed his disappointment with the outcome of the judgement.
Barbosa, who has represented Brazil 18 times and was part of the gold medal-winning squad at the 2016 Rio Olympics, can appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Brazilian Doping Control Authority has stated that a violation of the anti-doping rule of attempted fraud had occurred.
The two-year ban will start from the date of violation, which was on 8 April 2023. This means Barbosa will miss the entire upcoming season but should be available for the start of the 2025 campaign. Flamengo has expressed surprise at the verdict and has pledged to assist the player with an appeal.
Barbosa, who signed for Flamengo on a permanent deal in 2020 after a successful loan spell from Inter Milan, has been a key player for the club. He scored the winning goal in the 2022 Copa Libertadores final and has also made an impact on the international stage with Brazil.
Despite the suspension, Barbosa remains hopeful that his innocence will be proven and re-established by the higher court. Fans will have to wait and see how this situation unfolds and whether ‘Gabigol’ will be able to return to the pitch soon.
