CAS Exposes "Cultural Problem" in Brazilian Football's Anti-Doping Relations
July 25, 2025The Court of Arbitration for Sport has identified what it calls a "cultural problem" in Brazilian football regarding doping controls, revealing systematic obstruction of anti-doping procedures that extends far beyond a single case.
In its decision to overturn Gabriel "Gabigol" Barbosa's two-year doping suspension, the CAS panel exposed deep-rooted issues between Brazilian football clubs and anti-doping authorities that could have implications for the integrity of testing worldwide.
Systematic Obstruction Revealed
The CAS tribunal documented extensive restrictions placed on Doping Control Officers (DCOs) by Flamengo during the April 2023 testing incident:
- Limited facility access: The club restricted DCO movement to large areas of the training center
- Communication barriers: DCOs were prevented from directly notifying athletes, forcing them to work through intermediaries
- Hostile environment: Witnesses testified that clubs regularly create difficulties for testing personnel
"The club tolerates doping controls but does not support the important tasks of the Brazilian anti-doping authorities," the CAS panel concluded.
"Not Exceptions, But the Rule"
Perhaps most concerning was testimony suggesting these problems extend throughout Brazilian football. CAS noted in its decision:
"At the hearing, this CAS Panel heard the testimony of witnesses according to which the above-described difficulties are not exceptions, but rather the rule when collecting samples in football clubs."
The panel stated it could not verify the accuracy of these broader claims but emphasized the need for systematic change.
CAS Identifies Pattern of Problematic Behavior
The CAS panel systematically documented what it described as multiple layers of dysfunction in the Gabigol case:
Club-level obstruction: CAS found that Flamengo's restrictions made it "extremely difficult" for DCOs to perform their duties according to international standards.
Athlete resistance: The tribunal noted that Barbosa delayed his tests for hours compared to teammates, concluding he "tried to make the DCOs' life difficult."
Conspiracy theories: CAS specifically criticized Flamengo's club doctor for promoting what the panel called a "completely unsubstantiated conspiracy theory" that doping controls were deliberately timed to disrupt team preparation, describing this attitude as "of course nonsensical."
DCOs Under Pressure
The case highlighted the challenging working conditions faced by Brazilian anti-doping personnel:
- One experienced DCO testified he had "never experienced what happened at the Test" in his career, which included three Olympic Games
- DCOs reported being unable to move freely within training facilities
- Testing personnel faced aggressive and hostile treatment from both clubs and athletes
CAS noted that such restrictions "should neither be allowed nor be tolerated."
International Implications
The revelation of systematic problems in Brazilian football raises questions about doping control effectiveness in other countries and sports. The CAS panel specifically addressed this concern:
"The DCOs and, more in general, the anti-doping authorities must demand respect from all entities involved in football (clubs, players, support staff) and that clubs, players and support staff must pay respect to the DCOs."
ABCD's Response Awaited
The Brazilian Anti-Doping Authority (ABCD) has not yet publicly responded to CAS's findings about systematic problems within Brazilian football. The organization now faces questions about what measures it will implement to address the "cultural problem" identified by the international tribunal.
Broader Questions
The CAS decision raises several critical issues for the global anti-doping community:
- How widespread are similar problems in other countries?
- What enforcement mechanisms exist when clubs systematically obstruct testing?
- Should there be stronger sanctions for institutional non-cooperation?
The Gabigol case, while resulting in the athlete's acquittal due to procedural failures, has exposed what may be a much larger problem in the relationship between professional sports organizations and anti-doping authorities.
CAS emphasized that respect for anti-doping work is "of essence to the proper functioning of the system" and that "all entities involved must recognize this as a starting point."