Brazilian footballer Barbosa handed 2-year ban for attempted fraud during doping test

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Flamengo's Brazilian footballer Gabriel Barbosa has been suspended for two years for attempted fraud during a doping test.

According to local media, Barbosa arrived late for a doping test on April 8, 2023, and refused to follow instructions.

Barbosa, who was said to have acted disrespectfully toward the authorities, has been handed a two-year ban, effective from April 8, 2023, by the Anti-Doping Sports Court of Justice.

Gabriel said in a post on X that he never tried to obstruct or defraud any test. "I am confident I will be found innocent at the highest court."

Flamengo said they were surprised by the verdict and would help Barbosa with an appeal.

"The club will assist the athlete in presenting an appeal to CAS, since it understands that there was no fraud, not even an attempt, to justify the punishment applied," Flamengo said in a statement.

Barbosa, who scored five goals in 18 games for Brazil, was part of national teams' gold medal-winning squad at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The 27-year-old forward previously played for Santos, Inter Milan and Benfica.