Tribunal of Sports Arbitration (TAS) to Resolve Paolo Guerrero's Appeal on May 3rd

The Tribunal of Sports Arbitration (TAS) announced that it will resolve the appeals filed by Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero against the sanction imposed by FIFA for testing positive in a doping control and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) which demands a harsher punishment, which could prevent him from playing in the Russia World Cup.

"The Tribunal of Sports Arbitration (TAS) has registered the appeal made by Peruvian footballer Paolo Guerrero and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the decision made by FIFA's Appeals Committee on December 20th, 2017, regarding the six-month suspension imposed on Paolo Guerrero for a violation of anti-doping rules (presence of Benzoylecgonine)," TAS announced in a statement.

The striker was sanctioned by FIFA after testing positive for this substance following the goalless draw between Peru and Argentina in the South American qualifiers for Russia, initially receiving a one-year ban, which was eventually reduced to six months, so he could still participate in the World Cup, although he did miss the playoff against New Zealand.

However, the problem for Guerrero now is that TAS may grant the appeal submitted by WADA, which persists in requesting a suspension of "between one and two years," which would make him miss the tournament in Russia.

"Two arbitration proceedings have been opened. With the agreement of both parties, the proceedings have been consolidated and referred, with a hearing organized with the parties at the headquarters of TAS in Lausanne on May 3rd, 2018," concluded the arbitration body.