Ivory Coast goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo has been suspended by football’s world governing body FIFA for an alleged doping violation.
The 33-year-old who features for Ethiopian side Wolkite City had been expected to be first choice for his country at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Camero.on, with the Elephants facing Equatorial Guinea in their first game on Wednesday 12/1/2022
FIFA can confirm that its Disciplinary Committee has provisionally suspended Sylvain Gbohouo on the grounds of doping,
A spokesperson for football’s world governing body told AFP.
The 33-year-old started all six matches in the group stage of African qualifying for this year’s World Cup, including most recently a decisive 1-0 defeat in Cameroon in November.
The shot stopper tested positive positive in November last year with a banned substance that doctors believe it was consumed through a medication which is part of a molecule – a residue that had been found in a sample provided by Gbohouo.
“It’s been really difficult for the player,” Ivory Coast coach Beaumelle, who was appointed in March 2020, revealed.
“He’s been here since 5 January not knowing if he’ll be able to play. He’s not eating anymore, he’s lost weight, he’s not sleeping.
“I hope he stays with us, because I think he has an important role to play around the team if he can’t be in the team.
“He’s a great keeper and an excellent person. Its really hard for him and his family and we are all supporting him because his career isn’t finished.”
Ivory Coast has 20 days to appeal the decision which they did immediately leaving the former TP Mazembe out of the Afcon.
