Argentina World Cup winner is banned for doping for two years, after he ‘took children’s sickness syrup’ days before a test in the lead-up to the tournament

Argentina’s World Cup winner Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez has been handed a two-year ban for failing a drugs test after allegedly taking a syrup against his children’s illness ahead of the tournament.

Gomez, together with Lionel Messi and co, won football’s most coveted prize. last December after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against France in the final.

However, it has emerged that he failed a test for a banned substance shortly before the start of the Football World Cup in November 2022.

Gomez and his then club Sevilla were informed of the failed test months ago, but the player only received his sanction this week: a two-year ban from the sport.

The 35-year-old has blamed the failed test on taking his children’s sick syrup without consulting Seville doctors after having a bad night’s sleep. Relevo.

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However, this reason was not considered acceptable for him to avoid a ban.

He must now decide whether to appeal the verdict in an attempt to reduce or overturn his ban.

The news is a bitter blow for Serie A team Monza, who only signed Gomez as a free agent last month.

This came after his contract was terminated by Sevilla on the final day of the summer transfer window, following a two-and-a-half year spell at the club that saw him win the Europa League last season.

Gomez is best known for his time at Atalanta between 2014 and 2021.

The winger made 252 appearances for the club and scored 59 goals as he led the club to the Champions League for the first time in their history.

He left the Italian club at the beginning of 2021 after a falling out with manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

It looked like he could end his career in a high position in Serie A with Monza, but since joining them he has only been allowed to make two appearances and has now been handed a long-term ban.