Paolo Guerrero: The Peruvian Warrior
Paolo Guerrero (9) high fives Flamengo supporters in a 2-1 win over Fluminense in 2016. Photo credit: Agencia Brasilia
In October 2017, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced a temporary suspension of Peruvian captain Paolo Guerrero after confirming that he tested positive of Benzoylecgonine, the primary metabolite of cocaine.
“In reality, we don’t know,” Guerrero told BBC journalist Paul Harris when asked how the substance got into his system. “It’s supposed to come from a coke tea.”
Coca tea is a traditional drink in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia. According to the Toxicology Center director Dr. Rosalia Anaya Pajuelo, coca tea is used in Peru to cure the effects of the altitude. Peru is one of the highest places above the sea level in the world.
Guerrero, 34, faced a suspension of six months after the match against Colombia, where he scored the only goal for Peru in a game that finished 1-1 and sent Peru to the World Cup qualifiers. Peru beat New Zealand in the qualification matches, and for the first time in 36 years, the “Albirroja” entered the World Cup.
Guerrero was not supposed to have any problem completing his sanction: six months without playing any official matches would give him a clear path to be in the final list of Peru’s 23 players for the World Cup. However, on May 18, the CAS extended the sanction from six to 14 months.
Guerrero never stopped fighting. He proved that there was no intention to consume the substance, providing medical evidence that illustrated the levels of Benzoylecgonine didn’t cause him any further effect for improving his performance.
His fight fructified on May 31, when the Swiss Supreme Court decided to lift Guerrero’s suspension just for the World Cup. Judge Christina Kiss made the determination and cited different factors that drove it:
- The International Federation of Professional Players (FIFAPro) presented a letter signed by the captains of France, Australia and Denmark as an “urgent petition of clemency” for Guerrero.
- The Swiss Supreme Court thought about Guerrero’s age and the possible “culmination of his career as a footballer” if he couldn’t participate in the World Cup with Peru.
- There was no intentionality in consuming the metabolite; Guerrero was always a clean player on and off the pitch. The sanction was going to be a “prejudice for his professional trajectory.”
- FIFA and WADA “never opposed categorically with the participation” of Guerrero in the World Cup.
The verdict boosted Peru’s confidence. South American media covered the story with enthusiasm because Guerrero is, without a doubt, one of the best center forwards in the game.
Paolo Guerrero scores for Peru in his first game since he was cleared to play in the World Cup 🇵🇪 pic.twitter.com/BQtU8Vzo5c
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 3, 2018
A combination of strength, technical skills, physical power and a predatory essence make the Flamengo talent a killer striker at the level of Gonzalo Higuain or Luis Suarez — no exaggeration. He is a game changer.
Guerrero will be fulfilling his dream that started more than a decade ago when he was 19 years old; he will wear the captain’s band in the most crucial stage of sports. The Peruvian striker will play in his first World Cup because of his perseverance in the most challenging fight of his career. And he achieved it by honoring his last name, which means “warrior” in Spanish.
Follow Luis on Twitter: @LFulloa.
Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to exclusive content and supporter benefits. Click here to become a patron today.
