Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi has been suspended after failing a doping test, just months after surgery to remove a tumour.
Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi has been suspended after failing a doping test, just months after surgery to remove a tumour.
He tested positive for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) following the Cagliari-Sassuolo match on December 1.
The player was out of action for several months after a testicular tumour was discovered during a routine medical in July.
He underwent surgery to remove the cancerous growth, but has not been taking any particular medication.
Because of this, the club did not put in any special paperwork flagging chemicals that could turn up in his anti-doping test.
However, hCG is a hormone that can be produced by a cancerous tumour, so it is likely Acerbi will be exonerated following further tests.
There are also concerns the presence of the hormone so long after the tumour's removal could mean a relapse of the cancer.
The suspension from Serie A duty is only a temporary measure while a more thorough investigation is performed.