Paul Pogba he tested positive for testosterone in an anti-doping test taken after Udinese-Juventus, on the first day of this championship. While we await the counter-analysis, two things are certain: the Frenchman is not the first nor will he probably be the last to be found positive for a prohibited substance. Italian football, alone, is full of illustrious examples. From Palomino’s disqualification revoked to Davids’ precedent, as positive as Pogba after Udinese-Juventus, we review 10 of the most relevant.
Palomino and the disqualification revoked
After an initial disqualification, José Luis Palomino was acquitted of doping charges last November. Following a surprise check by Nado, in July 2022 the Atalanta Argentinian tested positive for clostebol, forcing him to be immediately suspended. Then the acquittal, with Palomino who in his defense had supported the theory of accidental contamination.
Lucioni, the spray and a year of suspension
The then captain of Benevento Fabio Lucioni was disqualified for one year for doping, and with him the club doctor, who admitted his faults in the affair and suffered a four-year disqualification. Like Palomino, Lucioni was tested positive for clostebol, but received no discount, even though he had time to play three games between the expiration of the precautionary suspension (90 days) and the issuing of the final sentence. The offending substance was found in Trofodermin, an anabolic spray.
Borriello and Belen’s cream
In 2007 Marco Borriello was disqualified for three months for testing positive for prednisone and prednisolone (two metabolites of cortisone). The striker, who was playing for Milan at the time, was defended by his girlfriend at the time, Belen Rodriguez, who claimed to have lent him her cortisone cream which she used to treat vaginal infections.
Joao Pedro suspended for six months
Joao Pedro, Brazilian by birth and Italian by nationality, was out for six months. When he was number 10 for Cagliari, the striker tested positive on two occasions for a diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide, and had to serve a six-month ban. A sentence that the player celebrated as “a rebirth”, because the national anti-doping prosecutor had requested four years.
Mortgage, disqualification and fine
Adrian Mutu tested positive for sibutramine, a laxative, while playing at Fiorentina and served nine months. It wasn’t the first time: in addition to a six-month suspension, the former striker also had to pay a 17 million fine to Chelsea for having tested positive for cocaine when he played in England in 2003/04.
Maradona and USA 94
Diego Armando Maradona was disqualified twice. The first, in 1991, when testing positive for cocaine marked the end of his period in Naples. The second, in 1994, when he was found positive for ephedrine at the US World Cup. Immediate suspension: the competition, for him, ended with a 2-1 to Nigeria, and with it his career with the Argentine national team. Diego, who at 33 had got into shape in record time for the World Cup, shouted at the conspiracy: “they were scared when they saw how I played”.
Davids and the precedent with Udinese
Edgar Davids was banned for five months, then reduced to four, in 2001. Curiously, like Pogba, he too was found positive after a Udinese-Juventus match, also for a testosterone derivative.
Guardiola at Brescia
The current City manager, Pep Guardiola, was found positive for nandrolone while playing in Italy, at Brescia. The Spaniard had to serve a four-month ban, despite the prosecutor’s office confirming that he was not aware of having taken prohibited substances.
Peruzzi as a very young man, disqualified with Carnevale
Angelo Peruzzi was found positive for phentermine, contained in Lipopil, at just 18 years old. “A teammate at Roma gave it to me because I had a strain and I didn’t want to hurt myself again,” he recalled. He paid with a 12-month ban, refusing to appeal. Roma teammate Andrea Carnevale was also disqualified with him.
Stam during his time at Lazio
Jaap Stam was detained for four months. The Dutch defender was found positive for nandrolone when he played for Lazio, in 2001, after a match against Atalanta.
2023-09-11 19:04:41
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