Why was Flamengo striker Gabigol banned from professional football?

Brazilian striker Gabigol Barbosa has been suspended for two years for an anti-doping fraud violation following an investigation on Monday. The 27-year-old striker who has 18 caps for the Brazil national team was tried by the Anit-Doping Sports Court in Brazil.

Gabigol was banned from professional football!

The former Inter Milan striker was reportedly uncooperative during a surprise test on April 8, 2023, at the club headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. When the anti-doping officers came to test players at the club’s training ground, Gabigol was found to have ignored the procedures, disrespected the officers, and refused to obey instructions.

The striker is in his final year of contract with Flamengo and will likely appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. His punishment came into effect back on April 8, 2023, during the anti-doping tests and will run until April 2025.

A club statement read: “Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, taking note of the result of the trial of its athlete Gabriel Barbosa, in the sense of applying a 2-year suspension sentence, until April 2025, by 5 votes for conviction and 4 for acquittal, goes public to say that it received the aforementioned decision with surprise and that it will assist the athlete in presenting an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as it understands that there was no type of fraud, not even an attempt, to justify the punishment applied.”

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Was Manchester United interested in signing Gabriel Barbosa?

Manchester United were considering a move for Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa whose contract with the Brazilian side expires in December 2024. The former Inter Milan and Benfica was expected to be available for £20m and United were ready to make a move in the winter transfer window.

The Red Devils were willing to send Antony on loan to Flamengo after the turbulent start to his Manchester United career. Gabigol has been impressive for Flamengo since joining the club from Inter Milan in 2019, grabbing 143 goals in 261 appearances.

Manager Erik Ten Hag will thank his stars for never sanctioning a move for the Brazil international.