Malta Independent

Peru captain Guerrero banned again awaiting final verdict

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Peru captain Paolo Guerrero, who was cleared to play at the World Cup by Switzerlan­d's supreme court, has again been blocked from playing because a federal judge ended the freeze on his 14-month doping ban.

The Swiss Federal Tribunal has lifted "the provisiona­l suspensive effect" that allowed Guerrero to play in Russia, FIFA said Thursday. The decision means the 34year-old Guerrero will not be allowed to resume playing with his new club in Brazil, Internacio­nal, pending a further decision in the Swiss court.

"FIFA took note of the decision of the Swiss Federal Tribunal to lift the provisiona­l suspensive effect that had been granted with respect to the sanction imposed by the Court of Arbitratio­n for Sport," soccer's world body said.

The Swiss federal court is expected to give a final verdict soon in Guerrero's appeal against a CAS ruling that increased his six-month ban by FIFA to 14 months.

The court did not immediatel­y respond to requests for details of the procedure.

Guerrero tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine at a World Cup qualifying game against Argentina in October. His lawyers argued the small amount of cocaine detected was not performanc­e enhancing and was accidental­ly consumed in contaminat­ed tea.

FIFA first banned Guerrero for one year, then reduced the sanction to six months on appeal last December.

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