Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Shakhtar's Fred gets one-year ban for failing dope test

December 16, 2015 08:59 IST

Brazil midfielder Fred, no relation to the veteran striker of the same name who used to play for the same country, has been suspended from South American football for a year for failing a drugs test.

Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian midfielder Fred (right)The 22-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk player tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide during the Copa America in June, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Tuesday.

The suspension runs until June 27, 2016 and will only apply to games sanctioned by CONMEBOL.

He can continue playing for Ukrainian club Shakhtar, who were drawn on Monday to meet Schalke 04 in the last 32 of the Europa League, unless world soccer's ruling body FIFA decides to extend the ban.

The 32-year-old Fred, who plays for Fluminense, represented Brazil at the 2006 and 2014 World Cups and won a total of 39 caps.

The younger Fred has made six appearances for his country.

A surprise choice in the squad, he started Brazil's first two games at the Copa America, a 2-1 win over Peru and a 1-0 defeat by Colombia.

The midfielder was dropped for the third match, a 2-1 victory over Venezuela, and also missed the penalty shootout defeat by Paraguay in the quarter-finals.

Image: Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian midfielder Fred (right)

Photograph: Christian Hofer/Getty Images

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.