Ivory Coast goalkeeper confirmed for "doping"
The Ivory Coast Football Federation said that its national team participating in the African Nations Cup in Cameroon will be deprived of the services of first goalkeeper Sylvain Gboho, after confirming his suspension by the International Federation of Popular Football (FIFA) for violating the drug and doping regulations.
And FIFA had temporarily suspended Gboho, player of the Ethiopian club, Kit City, after tests confirmed that he had taken a banned sports drug.
The Ethiopian Football Association announced this decision on the eve of the start of the current African finals, but those in charge of managing the Ivory Coast national team put him on the list of the participating team in the tournament, hoping to lift the ban after providing clarifications.
"At the beginning of last year, we asked Sylvain to undergo an eye examination, according to the rules for goalkeepers," Ivory Coast coach Patrice Baumel said.
"They informed us of the result of the examination on December 27, and we gave them the medical prescription," the coach added.
Ivory Coast officials said the FIFA Disciplinary Committee confirmed the suspension and gave the Ivory Coast 20 days to file a formal appeal.
The Ivory Coast will play its first match in the continental championship in Group E today against Equatorial Guinea.
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