Gabigol Wins CAS Appeal After Criticism of Brazilian Doping Control Procedures
July 25, 2025Flamengo striker Gabriel "Gabigol" Barbosa has had his two-year doping suspension overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which acquitted him of charges of attempted tampering with doping control.
The 27-year-old Brazilian was suspended for two years in March 2024 by a Brazilian sports tribunal for alleged attempted fraud in connection with doping control, with the ban backdated to April 8, 2023.
However, CAS concluded that Barbosa's actions did not meet the threshold for anti-doping rule violations, despite the panel describing the player's behavior as "completely uncooperative" and criticizing both the athlete and the system.
Critical Deviations from International Standards
The CAS panel uncovered serious flaws in the doping control procedure that took place at Flamengo's training center:
- Improper notification: The Doping Control Officers (DCOs) never notified Barbosa directly, as required by international standards. Instead, he was informed through the club doctor.
- Lack of chaperoning: Barbosa was unsupervised for over five hours, violating requirements for continuous observation.
- Tolerant approach: The DCOs did not react when informed of Barbosa's reasons for not reporting immediately.
The Substance Could Have Been Hidden
Barbosa's blood sample was to be analyzed for growth hormone (GH), which has an extremely short detection window of only 8 hours. The four-hour delay could theoretically have affected the ability to detect this substance.
However, CAS found it unlikely that Barbosa was aware that the blood sample was specifically to be tested for GH isoforms.
CAS Conclusions and Recommendations
Although Barbosa was acquitted, the CAS panel sent a clear message about the need for systemic improvements. The tribunal urged Brazilian authorities to implement a code of conduct to handle disrespectful behavior that doesn't reach the threshold for anti-doping rule violations.
CAS emphasized that all entities involved must recognize respect for anti-doping authorities as essential to the proper functioning of the system, stating that "polite behavior should be followed and demanded; directions by DCOs should be followed and obstructions to cooperation should be stopped and prevented from the outset."
Barbosa has been playing since April 2024 when CAS granted a provisional stay of his suspension pending the appeal. With his full acquittal, he continues to be eligible to compete.