2022 World Cup champion banned from competition for 2 years for doping
Papu Gomez, midfielder of the Argentina National Team, has just received a heavy sentence because his sample tested positive for doping.
This is the sample that Papu Gomez was tested for in October 2022, less than 2 months before participating in the 2022 World Cup. The 35-year-old player was found to be positive for terbutaline, a drug used to relieve bronchial spasms.
Papu Gomez was actually announced positive in November 2022 but he still went to the 2022 World Cup. Because at that time, WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) had not issued a penalty. They gave the player time to explain.
Papu Gomez claimed that he had used a bronchitis syrup, which was why he was doping. But WADA did not accept this reason. So, after almost a year, the decision was made.
Accordingly, Gomez will be suspended for 2 years. In Serie A this season, playing for Monza, Papu Gomez has only played 40 minutes in 2 matches. At 35 years old and serving a long suspension, he will most likely announce his retirement after the penalty.
Papu Gomez is a member of the Argentina team that won the 2022 World Cup. This player is highly appreciated for his versatility and creativity. But he is only a reserve factor for stars like Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister. For the National Team, Gomez has played 17 matches and scored 3 goals.
This contribution is not really big but the important thing is that Gomez has won the 3 most important championships with the National Team: Copa America and World Cup. Therefore, if he retires, this player can also retire happily.
With the Argentina team, there have been many questions about whether they will be stripped of their world championship title. According to WADA, this possibility only occurs when a team has 3 or more players involved in doping./.
