Guerrero to hug Jedinak who helped him play
sochi — Peru captain Paolo Guerrero has promised to give his Australian counterpart Mile Jedinak “a big hug” before Tuesday’s match between the teams as a thank you for his personal support in overturning Guerrero’s drug suspension.
Although he was given a 14-month ban after testing positive for a cocaine byproduct contained in a tea, Guerrero was allowed to play in the tournament partly because the captains of Group C rivals Australia, France and Denmark appealed on his behalf.
“I haven’t had the chance to thank him personally,” Guerrero said on Monday, the day before Australia and Peru meet in Sochi. “I hope to do that before the match tomorrow and I hope we can chat. I am so, so terribly grateful to him.
“As with any footballers, I think we have to support each other and I hope to give him a big hug and thank him personally.”
Peru are playing for pride after being knocked out the tournament following early defeats by Denmark and France, while Australia could sneak through on goal difference if they win and the Danes lose to the French.
But if the Australians thought Peru’s early exit will make their life easier, those hopes were dispelled by Guerrero.