Sports

Brazil’s Gabigol Handed Two-year Ban For Anti-doping ‘Fraud’

Published

2 years ago

March 26, 2024

Flamengo’s international forward Gabriel Barbosa was suspended for two years on Monday for attempted fraud during a doping test, a Brazilian sports court said.

Known as Gabigol, the 27-year-old Brazilian was alleged to have been uncooperative during a surprise doping test at club headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

The punishment, which can be appealed, is backdated to April 8 last year, when the events occurred.

He failed to comply with the schedule, disrespected the doping officers and refused to obey instructions, local media said.

“The aforementioned athlete was tried today by the Full Court of Sports Anti-Doping and, by majority, it was decided that a violation of the anti-doping rule of fraud had occurred,” the court said in a statement sent to AFP.

Gabigol subsequently hit back on social media, saying “I never tried to obstruct or defraud any test.”

“I am confident I will be found innocent at the highest court,” he added.

Flamengo said in a statement it would support its player and assist with his appeal “because there was no type of fraud”.

On the testing day, Gabigol’s teammates underwent testing in the morning while he ignored a request to be present and attended after lunchtime, according to the accusation.

When he finally arrived to be tested, he reportedly became upset because an officer escorted him to the bathroom.

Furthermore, he did not respect the sample collection protocol, according to the accusation.

A key figure in Flamengo’s 2019 domestic league and Copa Libertadores titles, Gabigol has consistently denied having tried to cheat in the test.

“The Flamengo player has confirmed that the test has been carried out and the result was negative,” his lawyer said in December, when the allegations first surfaced.

“In view of this information, there is nothing that could compromise or violate the protocol,” the lawyer added.

Gabigol had disappointing spells at Portugal’s Benfica as well as at Inter Milan in Italy having come through Santos’ academy, before joining Flamengo in 2019.

His return to form for Flamengo earned him call-ups to the Brazil squad and he made the last of his 18 international appearances in January 2022.

Gabigol’s contract with Flamengo expires in December.

Sports

SWAN Orders Nationwide Boycott Of NFF Activities

Published

4 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, has announced a nationwide boycott of all activities related to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, including the Federation’s upcoming Annual General Assembly, AGA, scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The directive, issued on Wednesday by the leadership of the association, follows what SWAN described as the NFF’s “deliberate and persistent exclusion” of the Association from the Congress, the Federation’s highest decision-making body.

In a statement jointly signed by the SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and the Secretary-General, Ambassador Ikenna Okonkwo, the Association condemned the NFF’s actions as “unacceptable, retrogressive, and an affront to the sporting media’s role in national football development.”

“The media is a critical tripod in the growth of sports globally. SWAN, as the professional body coordinating sports journalism in Nigeria, has consistently engaged with the NFF on the need to restore our rightful place in its Congress. Yet, while the Federation claims to be expanding its Congress, it continues to sideline us—a move that is both short-sighted and detrimental to Nigerian football,” the statement read.

SWAN accused the NFF leadership of adopting a divisive approach to football administration, warning that the continued decline in the nation’s football fortunes is a reflection of ongoing maladministration.

“Despite enormous financial and institutional support from the Federal Government, state governments, and private sponsors, Nigeria’s football continues to nosedive.

“It is time to put a decisive end to this dangerous trend. Nigeria cannot afford to watch its most cherished sport deteriorate under avoidable circumstances,” the statement read.

Effective immediately, all SWAN members across the country are instructed to cease coverage and promotion of any NFF-related activity.

“A task force will be set up to ensure strict enforcement of this directive. Simultaneously, the Association will begin a thorough investigation and public exposure of the maladministration and backward practices now synonymous with the Federation’s operations practices that have contributed to Nigeria’s repeated World Cup qualification failures,” the statement added.

SWAN reaffirmed its position as a critical stakeholder in Nigerian football and vowed to resist any attempt to marginalize the sporting media.

“The exclusion of SWAN from the NFF Congress is no longer acceptable and will not be tolerated. We stand resolute in defending the integrity and rightful role of the sporting media in the Nigerian football ecosystem,” the statement concluded.

Sports

I Don’t Hate Ronaldo, Messi Is A Better Player – Wayne Rooney

Published

4 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

Former England striker, Wayne Rooney, has insisted he does not hate Al Nassr forward, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, he insisted that Lionel Messi is a better footballer.

Rooney and Ronaldo were at United together between 2004 and 2009, winning three Premier League titles and a Champions League.

“I absolutely love Messi, love watching him play and that was the only reason because I think Messi had a little bit more in terms of how he played and taking players on and whatever,” Rooney said.

“Ronaldo’s a killer and people think because I’ve said Messi is better than Ronaldo, I don’t like him or speak down on him.”

Rooney played in the United team that lost two Champions League finals against Messi’s Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.

Sports

Theo Walcott Changes EPL Prediction, Names Team To Win UCL This Season

Published

5 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

Former Arsenal winger, Theo Walcott, has changed his prediction for the top four of the Premier League this season.

The England international revised his top-four prediction following his old club’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

He is now backing Arsenal to finish second in the table.

Earlier in the season, the former England man had predicted the Gunners would finish third behind Liverpool and Manchester City.

Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday with Gabriel Martinelli’s late equaliser, cancelling out Erling Haaland’s first half-half effort.

The draw meant that Mikel Arteta is now the first-ever manager to escape defeat in five successive matches against Man City boss, Pep Guardiola.

Liverpool on the other hand, are now five points clear atop the table after beating Everton 2-1 in a hard-fought Merseyside derby.

“I had Arsenal third but that was before the transfer window stuff, wasn’t it?” Walcott told It’s Called Soccer.

Asked if he would now put Arsenal as his title favourites, Walcott replied: “No, I’d put them second. They’re creeping up!

“They’re more equipped to win the Champions League. That’s how I see it.”

The Gunners face Newcastle United in the next game in the Premier League and will hope to get back to winning ways.