Argentina World Cup winner slapped with two-year doping ban after failing to overturn appeal

WORLD CUP winner Papu Gomez will serve a two-year doping ban after his appeal was rejected.

The midfielder was hit with the ban last October after testing positive in November 2022 – days before the World Cup.

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Papu Gomez has been banned for two years after his appeal was rejected[/caption]

Gomez, 36, denied wrongdoing and claimed he had accidentally consumed the banned substance.

The Argentine suggested he took some of his child’s cough syrup – which contained the prohibited terbutaline – after being given it by his wife.

It is typically used to treat and prevent wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness caused by asthma and chronic bronchitis.

Gomez says it is not an illegal substance for athletes and insists he has never “relied on a banned practice.”

He has not played since being hit with the ban, with his last appearance coming in October.

Gomez only signed for Monza at the end of September and has made just two appearances for the club.

The former Atalanta star also made two appearances for Argentina as they won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He started the shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia, before he was replaced by Enzo Fernandez after 59 minutes.

Gomez also played in Argentina’s 2-1 win over Australia in the knock-out stages.