In a stunning blow to the football world, Argentine World Cup champion Alejandro Papu Gómez has been banned for two years after failing an anti-doping test, reported to his current Italian club, Monza, on Friday.
“AC Monza announces that today, 20 October 2023, FIFA has notified the Spanish Anti-Doping Commission of the first instance ruling of the Spanish Anti-Doping Commission against the player Alejandro Dario Gomez,” the statement said.
The controversy comes from a positive drug test taken last October while Gómez was still playing for Sevilla, just before joining Argentina’s successful World Cup squad in Qatar. Terbutaline, a drug frequently prescribed to treat bronchospasm crises, was detected in the test.
Despite appearing on the bench in Sevilla’s Europa League final win last season, Gómez and the club mutually agreed to end his contract on September 1. He then returned to Italy, signing as a free agent with Monza just three weeks ago. Gómez has played in two Serie A matches for Monza since his return to Italy.
Gómez was crucial in the club’s series of ideal seasons. However, a dispute with coach Gian Piero Gasperini caused him to leave for Sevilla in January 2021.
Additionally, Gómez is not the only Serie A player now involved in a doping scandal. Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba tested positive for testosterone as well.
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