The doping case of Alejandro “Papu” Gómez It had a great impact worldwide. In a check with Sevilla, traces of a prohibited substance were found, for which he received a two-year suspension. However, The midfielder had his right to defend and surprised everyone with his argument.
Read also: The video that Papu Gómez published hours before Argentina’s defeat against Uruguay in La Bombonera
As revealed by the Spanish media Relief, Papu accused Linda Raff, his wife, of being responsible for giving him the cough syrup containing terbutaline. She “she returned home with a bad cough, which is why «His wife mistakenly gave him a spoonful of the syrup with the intention of calming the repeated discomfort of his cough.»the release states.
Papu’s objective is clear: to prove his innocence since it would have been an unconscious ingestion induced by an error.. This aspect is key since article 10.5 of the World Anti-Doping Code allows disqualification to be terminated if the absence of guilt or negligence is proven.
It would not be the first time that an athlete is accused of having taken a prohibited substance without knowing it and at the request of his coach or partner.
However, in this case it would not be like that. Since it is a medicine, since The Spanish Anti-Doping Agency does not allow it to be covered by this article because it would be a mistake for the athlete to take something without checking what it is about.. It would have been different if it was an element in contaminated food.
Therefore, despite his defense and having blamed his wife, Papu Gómez failed to convince the Court and they ratified his two-year sanction plus a fine of nine thousand euros. Now, it remains to know the steps to follow and what will become of the world champion’s career.
Terbutaline, the substance that the Papu Gómez control detected: what it is and what it is used for
Terbutaline is usually used in combination with other medications to reduce cough. Additionally, it helps relieve symptoms, but does not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery.
This substance is a syrup that is usually given to children, but also to adults. The UEFA anti-doping agency is, in this case, the one that determined the surprise control and noticed that substance.
“He’s screwed with what’s happening.”
“I spoke with Papu, I was a partner. He’s screwed with what’s happening. I think he is going to appeal (the doping sanction). Give him all the support because he is a boy who has given us a lot,” said Lionel Scaloni, coach of the Argentine National Team, at a press conference a few weeks ago.