The Monza forward Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gómez announced on Sunday that he has asked his lawyers to look into his doping suspension and said that the banned substance came from his son’s cough medicine.
Gómez was banned for two years on Friday in a doping case stemming from his time at the La Liga club Sevilla. He tested positive last October, shortly before joining the Argentina squad that went on to win the World Cup.
after newsletter promotion
The ban could potentially end the 35-year-old’s career and Gómez posted a lengthy statement on Instagram.
“Not only have I always rigorously respected all the rules, but I have also stood up as a strong defender of clean sport and sportsmanship, condemning categorically any forms of doping … I have never intended to, and I will never, resort to a banned practice,” Gomez wrote.
“The alleged offence originates from the presence of Terbutaline in my system, after I accidentally ingested it in a spoonful of my little son’s cough syrup … I have asked my lawyers to look into the matter as I believe the disciplinary case was not treated according to the rules.”
Gómez was on the bench when Sevilla won the Europa League final last season and his contract with the club was terminated on 1 September. He joined Monza at the end of last month as a free agent and has played in two Serie A matches – without scoring.