ZCZC
BSP-06
PERU-CAPTAIN-TRAINING-WORLD-CUP
Banned Peru captain Guerrero to train in Argentina ahead of World Cup
LIMA, Feb 3, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – Peru captain Paolo Guerrero will train
alone in Argentina in a bid to maintain fitness as he sees out a doping ban
ahead of this year’s World Cup.
Guerrero said his Brazilian club Flamengo had prepared a training program
for the 34-year-old at a private sports complex in the northern outskirts of
Buenos Aires.
“I have been given a fitness plan which I’ll carry out in Argentina without
any distraction,” Guerrero said. “My aim is to train well.”
Guerrero was given a 12-month ban in December after testing positive for
cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine following Peru’s World Cup qualifier
against Argentina in Buenos Aires on October 5.
The penalty, backdated to November, was halved by FIFA’s appeal committee
less than two weeks later.
He is due to return on May 3, just six weeks before Peru’s first World Cup
appearance since 1982.
But Guerrero’s lawyers are taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for
Sport (CAS) in an effort to have the suspension annulled.
The former Bayern Munich player has denied using cocaine or drinking coca
tea, claiming he was a victim of food or drink contamination.
The World Cup will be played in 11 Russian cities from June 14 to July 15.
BSS/Xinhua/MRI/0915 hrs