A Brazilian footballer once hailed as the next big thing has been suspended from the sport for two years after it was alleged he had attempted to deceive anti-doping controls
The career of Gabriel Barbosa has hit the rails after he was served a two-year suspension from football.
Globo Esporte reported the Flamengo forward - commonly known as 'Gabigol' - has been found guilty of committing anti-doping fraud. Barbosa was found to have ignored procedures and delayed proceedings on April 8, 2023, though his punishment does not indicate a failed doping sample.
The 27-year-old was linked with a January move to Manchester United in late 2023, with Brazilian compatriot Antony rumoured to be moving in the opposite direction. However, the transfer never materialised as the talent once hailed as the next Neymar remained in Rio de Janeiro.
It's understood seven people - including Gabigol - gave testimony at Monday's trial before a 5-4 verdict was delivered, ruling against the star. Barbosa was first capped by Brazil in 2016 and has earned 18 caps for his country.
Flamengo released a statement in response to Monday's ruling, which 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."
Given the alleged deception of anti-doping protocols occurred in April 2023, Barbosa has technically served half his suspension already. However, Flamengo will appeal in an attempt to see their star return to action sooner.
The forward came through the Santos academy a few years behind fellow graduate Neymar, whose sister, Rafaella, Gabigol dated for roughly a year. He earned his own big-money move to Europe when he joined Inter Milan in 2016, but he spent most of his four-year spell on their books loaned out to the likes of Benfica and Flamengo.
Neymar's sister, Rafaella, dated Barbosa from 2017 until 2018 (Image: Instagram/@rafaella)
However, Gabigol and Flamengo intend to appeal his punishment (Image: EVARISTO SA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite helping the club clinch two Copa Libertadores titles since joining their ranks in 2019, Monday's news represents a new low for Gabigol. He may count his blessings, however, as Globo noted the maximum punishment for anti-doping fraud is a four-year ban.
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