The five Mexico players who were suspended after the first match of the CONCACAF Gold Cup for doping have all been reinstated and cleared by the Mexico Football Federation citing an "absence of guilt." Guillermo Ochoa, Christian Bermudez, Francisco Rodríguez, Antonio Dueñas Nealson Sinha and Edgar all tested positive for clenbuterol and were replaced on the Gold Cup roster, not that heir absence affected Mexico at all. El Tri went on to win the tournament in convincing fashion without the five, finishing with a 4-2 win over the United States in the final.
FMF Reinstates, Clears Five Mexico Players Previously Suspended For Doping
The FMF has determined that the positive tests were a result of eating contaminated meat and that there was no intent to cheat involved whatsoever. When FIFA and CONCACAF agreed to allow Mexico to replace the five players on their Gold Cup roster they did cite the lack of intent to cheat in their reasoning as well.
“It has always been careful (with suppliers of food), but if you want to accept the word accident (relative to clenbuterol positive), we have a good time here. No blame,” said FMF secretary Decio De Maria.
While the FMF has cleared the five players, FIFA or the World Anti-doping Agency can still challenge the positive tests and reinstatement. The FMF has sent their report to both organizations with the hope that they will agree with the five players’ reinstatement. If FIFA or WADA would like to appeal the verdict that the FMF has reached they would have to begin their own investigation though.
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