The veteran Brazilian footballer, who was once known to be the dead ball specialist, can be barred from playing any match if allegations against him are proven. Reportedly, he has failed to go by the doping test rules after a match in Brazilian domestic league where, as tribunal says, he went straight to the locker room without undergoing a required doping test after a match against Ponte Preta on September 23. At the moment, all preliminary investigations have been concluded and final verdict is to be decided by tribunal on Friday at approximately 14.00, and if tribunal finds anything against him, he can either be punished or suspended for up to two years. Two more players are facing similar charges from the same match: one of them is Juan and other is goalkeeper Ricardo Berna. These three players did not undergo post match drugs control test which is a violation of Article 2.3 and 2.5 of the World Anti-Doping codes.
Ricardo Berna’s judgment will be pronounced along with Juninho while Juan will face the hearing tribunal this afternoon. Articles 2.3 and 2.5 deal with “refusal or escaping collection’ and “attempting to change any component of the control,” and the maximum punishment under these two articles is two years suspension from Superior Court of Sports Justice. Moreover, there is also a good chance of taking them under Article 258 of Brazilian Sports Justice which is punishable with a six matches’ ban. Article 258 deals with “conduct contrary to the ethics of sport.”
Besides players, their clubs can also be fined with a penalty that can go up to R$100,000. This could be a setback for Vasco if something like this happens to it. Moreover, anti-doping rules are important and compulsory for every player irrespective of his status, fame, or experience. Perhaps, this could lead to an international shame for a nation as well, if its players are caught taking something restricted. For now, final verdict will come on Friday and then every eye will be on Juninho who was once the prominent member of Brazilian national team, perhaps, he was a part of Brazilian National squad for 2006 FIFA world cup where Brazil was eliminated by France in semifinals. Moreover, he is known for his free kicks, and possibly; he is the greatest known free kicks specialist of all time. So, he must have kept his figures crossed at the moment!