Romario doping ban gets lifted on appeal
Updated: 2008-02-15 10:40
RIO DE JANEIRO - Former Brazil striker Romario overturned a 120-day ban on Thursday when an appeal tribunal accepted his case that he failed a dope test because of a hair loss treatment.
 Brazilian World Cup winner Romario, seen here in 2007, was on Thursday cleared of a doping offence and had a three-month suspension quashed. [Agencies] |
The 1994 World Cup winner, who was given the ban on December 18, tested positive for the banned masking agent finasteride after playing for Vasco da Gama against Palmeiras in October.
The ban came just weeks from his scheduled retirement as a player and on the eve of his appointment as Vasco coach.
Romario carried out his coaching duties from behind the scenes but resigned after just five games of the Rio state championship, alleging that Vasco president Eurico Miranda was interfering in team selection.
Romario told a sports disciplinary appeal tribunal he had used hair treatments containing finasteride for more than a decade, but had never failed a dope test.
He also stressed that he had kept club doctors informed about his use of the treatment.
Romario was overcome by emotion at one point during his testimony, prompting tribunal president Rubens Approbato to call an adjournment.
The seven tribunal members ruled unanimously in Romario's favour, earning a speech of gratitude from the player. "I came here to clear my name and I managed to salvage my honour. The Tribunal was sensible," he said.
Romario, 42, has played only sporadically since scoring what he claimed to be his 1,000th goal in May 2007 and it is not yet clear whether he will get the opportunity to take his final bow.
"I have a great relationship with Vasco and I have a contract until March 30. I'll be speaking with Eurico (Miranda) to see if there is a chance of playing," Romario said after the ruling. He said he would not seek to extend his playing career beyond March.
Romario also had no interest in resuming his coaching career.
"This is not for me. I cannot accept some of the things that go on. I have principles. I am willing to listen to others...but my experience as coach was not good," he said.
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