Published on 23.10.2023
Argentine World Cup-winning midfielder Papu Gomez has denied doping and blamed his positive test on accidentally ingesting his son’s cough syrup.
He announced on Sunday that he has requested 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.
“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 1st September. He joined Monza at the end of last month as a free agent and has played in two Serie A matches without scoring.
“It should be noted that therapeutic use of terbutaline is allowed for professional athletes and that in no way does it improve sporting performance,” added Gomez, with both he and his club saying he involuntarily ingested the banned substance from his son’s cough syrup.
He added that there could be legal action as he believes that his case was not handled in accordance with regulations.
